1-alpha-24-dihydroxyvitamin-d3 and Chronic-Disease

Numerous studies have shown that the additional administration of topical or systemic antipsoriatic agents might serve as an effective means to increase the efficacy of photochemotherapy [psoralen plus ultraviolet (UV) A (PUVA)] for psoriasis.. To compare the therapeutic response to tacalcitol plus PUVA, tazarotene plus PUVA and PUVA monotherapy in patients with chronic plaque-type psoriasis. In addition, we also assessed the duration of remission induced by each regimen and the tolerability of the two combination treatments.. Thirty-one patients with chronic plaque-type psoriasis were included in this observer-blinded, intrapatient comparison trial. PUVA treatment was given four times weekly. Additionally, tacalcitol ointment and 0.1% tazarotene gel were applied separately on two target areas once daily in the evening. At the onset of therapy and every 2 weeks thereafter the response to treatment was determined by the Psoriasis Severity Index score, which assesses the degree of erythema, infiltration and scaling of the psoriatic lesions. After complete or near complete clearing patients were followed-up until relapse.. Twenty-four patients completed the study. The treatment requirements to induce complete or near complete clearing were significantly lower for both combination treatments than for PUVA monotherapy (P < 0.01). The median cumulative UVA dose and number of exposures were 30.6 J cm-2 (95% confidence interval, CI 22.5-71.2) and 14 (95% CI 11-16) for tacalcitol plus PUVA, 32.3 J cm-2 (95% CI 22.5-73.8) and 14 (95% CI 11-19) for tazarotene plus PUVA, and 37.0 J cm-2 (95% CI 29.5-83.9) and 16 (95% CI 14-22) for PUVA monotherapy. No difference between the three regimens was observed with regard to duration of remission. Adverse reactions occurred more often with 0.1% tazarotene than with tacalcitol but were in general mild and completely reversible upon using a lower concentration of 0.05% tazarotene.. Tacalcitol ointment and tazarotene gel are both comparably effective in improving the therapeutic result of PUVA therapy in patients with chronic plaque-type psoriasis. Besides accelerating the treatment response, both agents, by virtue of their UVA dose-sparing effect, might also help to reduce possible long-term hazards of PUVA treatment.

Topics: Adult; Chronic Disease; Combined Modality Therapy; Dermatologic Agents; Dihydroxycholecalciferols; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nicotinic Acids; Psoriasis; PUVA Therapy; Radiation Dosage; Severity of Illness Index

As psoriasis patients often require continuous treatment optimal therapy has to provide efficacy and a good safety profile over the long term.. The aim of this multicentre study was to assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of tacalcitol (4 microg g(-1)) ointment (Curatoderm, Hermal, Reinbek, Germany) applied once daily over a treatment period of 18 months.. Efficacy parameters were Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), based on summed scores of erythema, infiltration and scaling and total body surface involvement (TBI). Safety assessment included serum levels of calcium, parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 (calcitriol); urinary calcium, creatinine, calcium/creatinine ratio in spot and 24-h urine and urinary alpha(1)-microglobulin. A group of 304 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis, covering between 7% and 20% of the body surface area was included for the initial treatment phase of 3 months. Of the 257 patients who completed the initial 3 months, 197 patients continued in a second treatment phase of 15 months.. Tacalcitol treatment proved to be effective in reducing the severity of psoriasis and maintained therapeutic response over the study period. The median PASI fell from 9.5 to 4 .6 at month 3 and to 3.25 at month 18 (P < 0.0001). The median improvement in TBI was 30% at month 3 and 50% at month 18. In no patient was there any relevant disturbance of calcium homeostasis. There were no significant changes in mean values of serum calcium, parathyroid hormone and calcitriol. Additionally no significant changes in 24-h urinary excretion evaluation were observed. There was no correlation between levels of serum calcium or urinary calcium and amount of tacalcitol ointment used, even in the patients requiring the largest amounts of ointment (up to 13 g day(-1) and up to 20% of body area affected). Treatment was generally well tolerated and there were no serious or unexpected adverse events reported. However, discontinuation of treatment as a result of skin irritation was seen in 5.9% of patients. The greatest frequency of cutaneous side-effects occurred during initial treatment and the incidence decreased markedly as the treatment was well-tolerated with continued use.. Tacalcitol ointment once daily was demonstrated to be efficacious, safe and well tolerated in the long-term control of plaque psoriasis in patients with up to 20% body surface involvement.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Calcitonin; Calcitriol; Calcium; Chronic Disease; Dermatologic Agents; Dihydroxycholecalciferols; Erythema; Female; Homeostasis; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Ointments; Parathyroid Hormone; Prospective Studies; Psoriasis; Time Factors

Various studies have shown the benefit of topical vitamin D(3) analogues in the treatment of mild to moderate plaque psoriasis.. Assessment of the efficacy, tolerability and safety of tacalcitol ointment in the long-term treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis in daily dermatological practice.. In this open, multicentre, clinical phase IV study with a pre/post comparison design, 157 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis were included. Patients showing chronic plaque psoriasis, covering 7-20% of their body area, were treated with tacalcitol ointment (4 microg/g, Curatoderm) once daily and were assessed at baseline and monthly during the 6-month treatment period. The efficacy parameter psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) and total body surface involvement were assessed at each visit. Laboratory parameters were assessed at the beginning and at the end of the study. Adverse events were recorded at each visit.. The mean PASI score decreased by 67%, and a marked reduction in sum scores of erythema, infiltration and desquamation was detected. The body area affected declined by 33% from 13.3 to 8.8%. There were no changes in laboratory parameters, and no case of hypercalcaemia was observed. No serious adverse events occurred during the study period. The recorded local side-effects were usually transient and mainly mild.. Tacalcitol ointment is safe, well tolerated and provides a further option for patients with psoriasis up to 20% body surface affected. Tacalcitol treatment can be recommended as effective therapy for long-term control of chronic plaque psoriasis in dermatological practice.

Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Chronic Disease; Dermatologic Agents; Dihydroxycholecalciferols; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Ointments; Psoriasis; Treatment Outcome

Keratosis lichenoides chronica (KLC) is a rare chronic progressive cutaneous disease that is part of the heterogeneous group of lichenoid dermatoses. The typical clinical presentation is characterized by lichenoid hyperkeratotic papules and nodules arranged in a linear and reticular pattern on the trunk and extremities. Our case confirms the existence of a vascular variant of KLC. There is no consensus about its treatment, since it is refractory to many different treatment modalities. We report the effectiveness of acitretin in KLC in combination with tacalcitol. KLC is of unknown aetiology, but is perhaps associated with systemic diseases, most importantly glomerulonephritis and lymphoma. This is the second case associated with hypothyroidism.

Topics: Acitretin; Chronic Disease; Dermatologic Agents; Dihydroxycholecalciferols; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Hypothyroidism; Keratolytic Agents; Keratosis; Lichenoid Eruptions; Middle Aged; Skin Diseases, Vascular