title: Evaluation of methylprednisolone aceponate, tacrolimus and combination thereof in the psoriasis plaque test using sum score, 20-MHz-ultrasonography and optical coherence tomography.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite new treatment options with systemic disease modifiers, topical therapy - especially as combination therapy - plays an important role in psoriasis treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Antipsoriatic efficacy of methylprednisolone aceponate ointment (MPA), tacrolimus 0.1% ointment (FK506) and their combination (MPA+FK506) were investigated in a double-blind randomized pilot study using the psoriasis plaque test. Agents and corresponding placebos were applied once daily under occlusion for 11 days. Test sites were evaluated by sum score (erythema, scaling, infiltration), objective assessment by 20-MHz-sonography and optical coherence tomography (OCT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 11 days, the sum score significantly improved from baseline value in FK506-treated skin (9.6 vs. 2.9, p < 0.0001). MPA led to a significant improvement of the sum score (9.4 vs. 0.6, p < 0.0001). Combination therapy showed results similar to MPA monotherapy (9.4 vs. 0.4, p < 0.0001). These findings were confirmed by 20-MHz-sonography and OCT data.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FK506 is moderately effective in chronic plaque-type psoriasis in our model. Combination therapy with FK506+MPA has no additive effect compared to MPA alone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Buder
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Knuschke
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wozel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods*; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: C078007:methylprednisolone aceponate; D016559:Tacrolimus; D008775:Methylprednisolone