title: Successful treatment with topical tacrolimus in four cases of discoid lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), a cutaneous form of lupus erythematosus, is characterized as atrophic and scaly erythema and the lesions are often refractory to a wide range of topical or systemic therapies. Herein, we present four cases of DLE that were successfully treated with topical tacrolimus. Tacrolimus ointment (0.1%) was applied to DLE lesions twice daily and the erythematous plaques readily diminished after 4-8 weeks. Adverse effects, such as burning sensation or irritations, were not observed. These results indicate that topical tacrolimus might be an effective and alternative treatment to control DLE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric and Environmental Dermatology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan.
authors.forename: Masayoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sugano
authors.forename: Yoichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shintani
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Noriyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sakakibara
authors.forename: Iwao
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Isomura
authors.forename: Akimichi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morita
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008179:Lupus Erythematosus, Discoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009824:Ointments; D016559:Tacrolimus