title: Topical FK506 (tacrolimus) therapy for facial erythematous lesions of cutaneous lupus erythematosus and dermatomyositis.
abstract: Tacrolimus is a prototype of a class of topical immunosuppressive agents with great potential for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. Topical tacrolimus therapy was applied to facial skin lesions in 11 cases of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (LE) and dermatomyositis. Of the 11 patients, 6 (3 systemic LE, one discoid LE and 2 dermatomyositis) showed a marked regression of their skin lesions after tacrolimus therapy, but 4 patients (3 discoid LE and one dermatomyositis) were resistant to the therapy. A good response was observed for facial erythematous lesions with edematous or telangiectatic changes in systemic LE and dermatomyositis. In discoid LE with typical discoid lesions, tacrolimus brought no improvement. Topical tacrolimus will become a new tool for managing the skin lesions of collagen diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama 641-0012, Japan.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshimasu
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohtani
authors.forename: Taiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakamoto
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oshima
authors.forename: Fukumi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Furukawa
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008178:Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016559:Tacrolimus