title: Infliximab for chronic cutaneous sarcoidosis: a subset analysis from a double-blind randomized clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Limited evidence exists demonstrating an effective treatment for chronic cutaneous sarcoidosis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine infliximab's effectiveness in sarcoidosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a subset analysis from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial for chronic pulmonary sarcoidosis to determine infliximab's effectiveness. Patients with chronic cutaneous sarcoidosis received infliximab (3 or 5 mg/kg) or placebo over 24 weeks. Of 138 patients, the subset analysis evaluated 17 patients with chronic facial and another 9 patients with nonfacial skin involvement. The SASI evaluated lesions for degree of erythema, desquamation, induration, and percentage of area involved. Facial and nonfacial lesions were scored in a blinded manner.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 5 placebo-treated and 12 infliximab-treated patients, an improvement was observed with infliximab versus placebo in change from baseline to weeks 12 and 24 in desquamation (P<0.005) and induration (P<0.01) at week 24. Erythema, percentage of area involved and the evaluation of paired photographs did not reveal significant differences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sample size; more extensive disease in placebo patients; chronic therapy upon enrollment; lung as primary organ of sarcoidosis involvement; limited investigator experience with SASI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Infliximab appears to be a beneficial treatment for chronic cutaneous sarcoidosis. The SASI scoring system demonstrated significant improvement versus placebo in lesion desquamation and induration.
authors: University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States. BAUGHMRP@UCMAIL.UC.EDU.
authors: Robert P
authors: RP
authors: Baughman
authors: Marc A
authors: MA
authors: Judson
authors: Elyse E
authors: EE
authors: Lower
authors: Marjolein
authors: M
authors: Drent
authors: Ulrich
authors: U
authors: Costabel
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Flavin
authors: Kim Hung
authors: KH
authors: Lo
authors: Elliot S
authors: ES
authors: Barnathan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000069285:Infliximab