Efficacy of Topical Tacrolimus in Different Subtypes With Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE)

Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of topical tacrolimus in different subtypes of cutaneous lupus erythematosus. As shown by several groups activated memory T lymphocytes play a key role in the pathogenesis of lupus erythematosus. Tacrolimus targets T lymphocytes and suppresses their activation by inhibiting the expression of cytokine genes, such as IL-2. Therefore, treatment of cutaneous lupus erythematosus with topical tacrolimus might result in an improvement of skin lesions in such patients.

Timeline

Start

2005-08

Primary completion

—

Completion

2007-02

Publications

• Background Bacman D, Tanbajewa A, Megahed M, Ruzicka T, Kuhn A. [Topical treatment with tacrolimus in lupus erythematosus tumidus]. Hautarzt. 2003 Oct;54(10):977-9. doi: 10.1007/s00105-003-0593-3. No abstract available. German.
• Background Kuhn A, Gensch K, Stander S, Bonsmann G. [Cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Part 2: diagnostics and therapy]. Hautarzt. 2006 Apr;57(4):345-8; quiz 359. doi: 10.1007/s00105-006-1138-3. German.
• Background Kuhn A, Gensch K, Stander S, Bonsmann G. [Cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Part 1: clinical manifestations and classification]. Hautarzt. 2006 Mar;57(3):251-67; quiz 268. doi: 10.1007/s00105-006-1094-y. German.

Drugs

Indications