title: Reduction of serum TARC levels in atopic dermatitis by topical anti-inflammatory treatments.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Serum thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) levels are associated with the disease activity of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and sensitively reflect short-term changes in skin conditions. The main treatment for AD is topical agent application.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the relationship between serum TARC levels and the dosage of topical agents, including corticosteroids and/or tacrolimus, in patients with AD.
  
  
  METHODS
  The serum TARC levels of 56 AD patients and the amounts of topical agents prescribed to them were investigated retrospectively. The weekly reduction in serum TARC levels and weekly dosage of topical agents among AD patients were compared and their associations were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The dosage of topical agents was closely related to serum TARC levels. One gram of strong rank steroid or the equivalent amount of steroid/tacrolimus is required to reduce serum TARC levels by 9.94 pg/mL weekly in moderate to severe AD patients. Higher initial TARC levels require more topical agent, which results in a more rapid decrease in TARC levels. The serum TARC levels and eosinophil numbers in peripheral blood are significantly correlated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum TARC level improvement and topical agent dosage are strongly correlated. TARC and eosinophil numbers are significantly correlated, but the wider range of TARC levels seems to be clinically more useful for monitoring AD severity. The serum TARC level is a very sensitive biomarker for monitoring the severity and treatment response in AD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Yumi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yasukochi
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakahara
authors.forename: Takeru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: Makiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kido-Nakahara
authors.forename: Futoshi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kohda
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takeuchi
authors.forename: Akihito
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hagihara
authors.forename: Masutaka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Furue
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D054414:Chemokine CCL17 / Q000097:blood*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D015415:Biomarkers; C106230:CCL17 protein, human; D054414:Chemokine CCL17; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009824:Ointments; D016559:Tacrolimus