title: Supraerythemogenic excimer laser in combination with clobetasol spray and calcitriol ointment for the treatment of generalized plaque psoriasis: Interim results of an open label pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The combination of phototherapy and topical therapy is one of the most widely used treatment modalities for moderate to severe psoriasis. The development of targeted phototherapy with excimer laser and new topical spray formulations has made these therapies both more convenient and more effective. In this open label pilot study, we aim to assess the efficacy of combination therapy using 308-nm excimer laser, clobetasol propionate spray and calcitriol ointment for the treatment of moderate to severe generalized psoriasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this 12-week study, patients with moderate to severe psoriasis received twice weekly treatment with XTRAC® Velocity 308-nm excimer laser combined with clobetasol propionate twice daily followed by calitriol ointment twice daily.
  
  
  RESULTS
  To date, 21 patients have completed the protocol. By week 12, 76% of the patients had a reduction in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index by at least 75% (PASI-75) and 52% had a Physicians Global Assessment of "clear" or "almost clear".
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Excimer laser therapy combined with an optimized topical regimen that includes clobetasol spray followed by calictriol ointment appears to be an effective treatment for moderate to severe generalized psoriasis that avoids the risk of serious internal side effects associated with many systemic agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Psoriasis and Skin Treatment Center, University of California , San Francisco, CA , USA .
authors.forename: Ethan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: Maya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Debbaneh
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malakouti
authors.forename: Gabrielle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Rishu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Huynh
authors.forename: Argentina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leon
authors.forename: John Y M
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Koo
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002990:Clobetasol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009824:Ointments; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D009824:Ointments; D002990:Clobetasol; D002117:Calcitriol
keywords: Calcitriol ointment; clobetasol propionate spray; combination therapy; excimer laser; phototherapy