Pimecrolimus 1% cream for anogenital lichen sclerosus in childhood.
BACKGROUND
Lichen sclerosus is a chronic inflammatory disease with a predilection of the anogenital region. Because of the potential side effects of repeated local application of potent glucocorticosteroids, equally-effective, safer therapeutic options are required, especially in the treatment of children.


METHODS
We report on the efficacy of twice-daily application of pimecrolimus 1% cream in four prepubertal girls (range of age: 4 to 9 years) who suffered from anogenital lichen sclerosus. After three to four-month treatment, all patients had almost complete clinical remission including relief from itch, pain and inflammation. Only minor improvement was observed for the white sclerotic lesions. No significant side effects have been observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical pimecrolimus appears to be an effective and safe treatment for children with anogenital lichen sclerosus. The clinical benefits observed in the four patient presented particularly include relief of pruritus, pain and inflammation. Vehicle-controlled studies on a larger number of patients are now warranted to substantiate our promising findings, and to investigate long-term efficacy and safety of topical pimecrolimus in anogenital lichen sclerosus.
Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Gudrunstr. 56, D-44791 Bochum, Germany. bomss@gmx.net <bomss@gmx.net>
Stefanie
S
Boms
Thilo
T
Gambichler
Marcus
M
Freitag
Peter
P
Altmeyer
Alexander
A
Kreuter
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D001004:Anus Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D002648:Child; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018459:Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D009824:Ointments; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014845:Vulvar Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009824:Ointments; C117268:pimecrolimus; D016559:Tacrolimus