title: Efficacy and safety of calcipotriol (MC 903) ointment in psoriasis vulgaris. A randomized, double-blind, right/left comparative, vehicle-controlled study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The biologically active form of vitamin D3, calcitriol, may offer a new therapeutic approach to psoriasis. Calcipotriol, a new vitamin D3 analogue, is at least 100 times less calcemic than calcitriol.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our purpose was to study the efficacy and safety of calcipotriol in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a right/left comparative, double-blind study, treatment with calcipotriol ointment (50 micrograms/gm) twice daily and placebo was given for 4 weeks. The preferred treatment was continued, without opening the code, for another 4 weeks. Efficacy, as measured by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index and by the investigator's and patient's global assessment, and safety were assessed every 2 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean Psoriasis Area and Severity Index fell in 4 weeks from 14.2 to 6.3 with calcipotriol and from 14.1 to 9.2 with placebo (p < 0.001; 95% confidence interval for difference: 1.78-->3.94). Local side effects were equally common with calcipotriol and placebo. The mean serum calcium remained unchanged.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topical application of up to 50 gm of calcipotriol ointment per week was found to be an effective and safe treatment of psoriasis vulgaris.
authors: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Saint-Louis, Paris, France.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Dubertret
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Wallach
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Souteyrand
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Perussel
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Kalis
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Meynadier
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Chevrant-Breton
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Beylot
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: Bazex
authors: H J
authors: HJ
authors: Jurgensen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009824:Ointments; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D009824:Ointments; C055085:calcipotriene; D002117:Calcitriol