Pilot Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Oral Tacrolimus in Adult Patients With Refractory Severe Plaque Psoriasis. Issue 3 (May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mittal, Ankit; Dogra, Sunil; Narang, Tarun; Sharma, Aman
• Is Part Of: Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery. Volume 20:Issue 3(2016:May/Jun.)
• Page Start: 228
• Page End: 232
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Subjects: oral tacrolimus -- severe plaque psoriasis; Dermatology -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Skin -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Dermatology -- Canada -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Canada -- Periodicals; Skin -- Surgery -- Canada -- Periodicals; 616.5005
• DOI: 10.1177/1203475415616964
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1203-4754

Abstract

Background: Tacrolimus, a congener of cyclosporine, has replaced cyclosporine as a first-line treatment for most transplant patients due to its superior efficacy and safety. Tacrolimus has not been extensively studied for the treatment of psoriasis. Objectives: To study the efficacy and safety of oral tacrolimus in adult patients with severe refractory plaque psoriasis. Methods: This was an open-label pilot study. Patients with severe plaque type psoriasis who were unresponsive to at least 1 systemic treatment were treated with oral tacrolimus. Results: Thirty patients were treated. After 12 weeks, improvement in mean Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score was 80.37% ( P < .001), PASI 75 was observed in 19 of 26 (73.1%) patients, and PASI 90 was observed in 11 of 26 (42.3%) patients. No severe side effects were noted. Conclusion: Oral tacrolimus is an effective and safe option for the short-term treatment of severe plaque psoriasis.