Positive and negative effects of thalidomide on refractory cutaneous lupus erythematosus.
BACKGROUND
Thalidomide is used in cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) refractory to conventional therapies. Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is the most severe side effect, but the incidence of PN and its relation to thalidomide dose are still unclear.


OBJECTIVE
To prospectively evaluate the efficacy as well as the occurrence of PN in CLE patients treated with thalidomide, and to assess whether PN, when occurs, correlates with thalidomide dose and/or length of treatment.


METHODS
Fourteen female patients with CLE in low-dose thalidomide therapy were followed for up to 24 months. Prior to, and regularly during treatment patients underwent rheumatological, dermatological, neurological and electrophysiological evaluations. A decline in sural SNAP of 50% or more from baseline value was considered as criterion of sensory axonal PN.


RESULTS
All patients showed a dramatic improvement of skin manifestations. Ten patients (71.4%) developed a sensory axonal PN. The median time free from this complication was 14 months. No correlations were found between age of the patients nor thalidomide cumulative dose and occurrence of PN (Mann-Whitney U Test; p>0.16). Other adverse effects were: tremor, paresthesias, somnolence, amenhorrea, constipation and thoracic pain.


CONCLUSIONS
Low does thalidomide is efficacious in treating CLE, but PN is a common complication whose occurrence does not seem to correlate with total thalidomide dose, whereas with the duration of therapy. A closer electrophysiological follow-up is therefore recommended in the long-term treatment.
Briani
C
C
University of Padova, Department of Neurosciences, Via Giustiniani, 5, 35128, Padova, Italy. chiara.briani@unipd.it
Zara
G
G
Rondinone
R
R
Iaccarino
L
L
Ruggero
S
S
Toffanin
E
E
Ermani
M
M
Ghirardello
A
A
Zampieri
S
S
Sarzi-Puttini
P
P
Doria
A
A
D000328:Adult; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008178:Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013792:Thalidomide