title: Topical tacrolimus as a therapeutic adjunct in patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus. A report of three cases.
abstract: The topical therapy of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (LE) consists mainly of corticosteroids which may lead to significant side effects when overused. We report the efficacy of topical tacrolimus as a therapeutic adjunct in 3 patients with cutaneous LE of the face. All patients, 1 with systemic LE and a malar rash, 1 with annular subacute cutaneous LE, the other with a papular variant of subacute cutaneous LE, experienced significant improvement following application of tacrolimus ointment. Treatment with topical tacrolimus was tolerated well without major side effects in all patients. The presented cases are in line with recent reports that topical tacrolimus may be effective in facial LE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany. bohmm@uni-muenster.de
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Böhm
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gaubitz
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Luger
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Metze
authors.forename: Gisela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bonsmann
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008178:Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016559:Tacrolimus