title: Treatment of cutaneous sarcoidosis with thalidomide.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although systemic corticosteroids are effective against cutaneous sarcoidosis, alternative therapies are needed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to assess the efficacy and tolerance of thalidomide for cutaneous sarcoidosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective evaluation of thalidomide (100-200 mg/d) in 12 consecutive patients with cutaneous sarcoidosis treated in a university hospital between 2000 and 2002.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cutaneous lesions regressed within 1 to 5 months, with an average time of 2 to 3 months for 10 patients. In all, 4 patients achieved complete responses, 6 had partial responses, and 2 had no regression. Nasopharyngeal, pulmonary neurologic, and hepatic symptoms were also attenuated. Thalidomide was well tolerated. The main adverse effect was deep vein thrombosis in 1 patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thalidomide efficacy and tolerance in patients with cutaneous sarcoidosis merits further evaluation in a controlled trial.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Department, Hôspital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Yên Thi
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dupuy
authors.forename: Florence
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cordoliani
authors.forename: Marie Dominique
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Vignon-Pennamen
authors.forename: Céleste
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lebbé
authors.forename: Patrice
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morel
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rybojad
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013792:Thalidomide