Cutaneous involvement of dermatomyositis can respond to Dapsone therapy.
BACKGROUND
Dapsone (4,4-diaminodiphenylsulfone) is a sulfone antibiotic used in the treatment of leprosy, but dermatologists more commonly utilize its anti-inflammatory properties particularly directed against leukocytes to treat various bullous disorders, erythema nodosum, pyoderma gangrenosum, Sweet's syndrome, cutaneous vasculitis, and cutaneous forms of lupus erythematosus. The cutaneous manifestations of dermatomyositis are often resistant to antimalarial and immunosuppressive therapies.


METHODS
Two patients with cutaneous dermatomyositis unresponsive to combination therapy with prednisone, hydroxychloroquine, quinacrine, and immunosuppressive medications had Dapsone added to their therapy.


RESULTS
Both patients showed rapid improvement with the addition of Dapsone. Each had an exacerbation of their cutaneous dermatomyositis on Dapsone with withdrawal and subsequent improvement when the Dapsone was reinstituted.


CONCLUSIONS
Dapsone therapy for cutaneous dermatomyositis may have a wider role in treatment for these patients refractory to prednisone and antimalarial therapy.
Cohen
Jack B
JB
Department of Dermatology, Univ. of Texas Southwestern Medical School, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390-9190, USA. jack.cohen@utsouthwestern.edu
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003622:Dapsone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006886:Hydroxychloroquine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011796:Quinacrine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D006886:Hydroxychloroquine; D003622:Dapsone; D011796:Quinacrine; D011241:Prednisone