title: Inosiplex for treatment of alopecia areata: a randomized placebo-controlled study.
abstract: Treatment of alopecia areata remains unsatisfactory. We decided to test if systemic therapy with inosiplex (Isoprinosine(R)), an immunomodulator could influence the disease. Thirty-two subjects with recalcitrant alopecia areata, aged 16-48 years (mean 30.3+/-5.1 years), were randomized into two treatment groups of 16 subjects each. They were assigned to receive either oral inosiplex (group 1), or placebo (group 2) on a double-blind basis. Inosiplex dosage was 50 mg/kg/day in five divided doses for 12 weeks. Of the 15 evaluable patients in group 1, 5 (33.3%) had full remission, 8 (53.3%) responded partially and 2 (13.3%) did not respond. Of the 14 evaluable patients in the placebo group, none had full remission, 4 (28.5%) responded partially and 10 (71.4%) did not respond. The therapeutic difference between patients receiving active and placebo therapy was statistically significant (?2=7.82, p<0.01). Compared with placebo, oral inosiplex showed considerable efficacy in alopecia areata with insignificant side-effects. Larger studies are required, however, before inosiplex may be recommended as an efficacious and safe alternative systemic form of therapy for recalcitrant alopecia areata.
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Dermatology and Venereology, A. Sygros Hospital, 5 Dragoumi Street, GR-16121 Athens, Greece. lapidg7@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Georgala
authors.forename: Alexander C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Katoulis
authors.forename: Angeliki
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Befon
authors.forename: Katerina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Georgala
authors.forename: Panagiotis G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Stavropoulos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007542:Inosine Pranobex / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D007542:Inosine Pranobex