title: Immunomodulation by interleukin-10 therapy decreases the incidence of relapse and prolongs the relapse-free interval in Psoriasis.
abstract: The ability of interleukin-10 therapy to reduce the severity of exacerbated psoriasis has been demonstrated recently. Considering the immunobiologic properties of this cytokine we investigated the effects of long-term interleukin-10 application on the immune system and duration of psoriasis remission. We performed a placebo-controlled, double-blind, phase II trial using interleukin-10 in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis in remission. Patients received subcutaneous injections with either interleukin-10 (10 microg per kg body weight; n = 7) or placebo (n = 10) three times per week until relapse or study termination after 4 months. The treatment was well tolerated. In the placebo group almost all patients (90%) showed a relapse during the observation period. In contrast to this, only two of seven patients (28.6%) relapsed in the interleukin-10-treated group. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significantly lower relapse incidence in the interleukin-10 than in the placebo group (p = 0.02). The mean relapse-free interval time was 101.6 +/- 12.6 d in the interleukin-10 group in comparison with 66.4 +/- 10.4 d in the placebo group. Immunologic activity of interleukin-10 application was indicated by an increase in soluble interleukin-2 receptor plasma levels and higher ex vivo interleukin-4 secretion capacities. Remarkably, a significant negative correlation was demonstrated between the interleukin-4 secretion capacity and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score (r = -0.36, p < 0.01). Our data suggest that interleukin-10 therapy is immunologic effective, decreases the incidence of relapse and prolongs the disease-free interval in psoriasis. Its value should be further determined in larger trials and for the prevention of re-exacerbation of other inflammatory disorders with a similar immunologic profile.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Charité, Berlin Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Friedrich
authors.forename: Wolf-Dietrich
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Döcke
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Philipp
authors.forename: Hans-Dieter
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Volk
authors.forename: Wolfram
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sterry
authors.forename: Khusru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Asadullah
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D055502:Secondary Prevention
chemical_list: D016753:Interleukin-10