title: Pimecrolimus--a safe and effective local immunomodulator in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases.
abstract: Pimecrolimus (SDZ ASM 981), an ascomycin derivative, as one of the new classes of immunomodulating macrolactams, is specifically effective in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. The interest in pimecrolimus is highly important for its significant anti-inflammatory activity, cell-selective inhibition of inflammatory cytokines, immunomodulatory capabilities, and low systemic immunosuppressive potential. The mechanism of action of pimecrolimus is the blockage of T cell activation, blocking signal transduction pathways in T cells, and inhibition of the synthesis of inflammatory cytokines, specifically Th1- and Th2-type cytokines. Several studies have evaluated the effectiveness of pimecrolimus as the treatment of choice for inflammatory skin diseases.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Dermatology and Venereology Zagreb University Hospital Center, Salata 4, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia. jasna.lipozencic@zg.htnet.hr
authors.forename: Jasna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lipozencić
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy; D004485:Eczema / Q000188:drug therapy; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; C117268:pimecrolimus; D016559:Tacrolimus