The use of fumaric acid esters in the treatment of psoriasis was first proposed in 1959. In the 1980s, more standardized oral preparations of fumaric acid esters were developed, containing ...dimethylfumarate and monoethylfumarate as the main compounds. In 1994, the drug was approved for the treatment of psoriasis in Germany, and since then it has become the most commonly used systemic therapy in this country. In the last few years, an oral integrator containing dimethylfumarate and monoethylfumarate (Psocaps, Dermatika s.r.l., Padua) has also been available in Italy for the treatment of psoriasis. In this paper we report on the history of treatment using fumaric acid esters and we describe our own experience during and following the treatment with such drugs in 41 patients affected by mild vulgar psoriasis. In our trial, an improvement in cutaneous psoriasis was observed in 46% of treated patients, while side effects were noticed in 52% of patients; only three patients dropped out due to gastrointestinal problems. Our results are comparable to literature data in terms of efficacy, safety and side effects.
Objective
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of the association of calcipotriol ointment (50 μg/g) plus cyclosporine versus cyclosporine alone in the treatment of ...moderate psoriasis (mean PASI: 13).
Methods
Twenty patients were enrolled in this right‐left open study. All the patients admitted were treated with cylosporine at an initial dose of 4.5 mg/kg/day; in case of clinical improvement this dosage was reduced by 0.5 mg/kg/day every 15 days. In each patient we chose two similar, symmetrical lesions and calcipotriol ointment was applied only on the right lesion, twice a day, until the healing of the lesion or for 1 month. Patients were checked at baseline and every 15 days.
Results
Eighteen patients completed the study and 17 of the 18 presented more evident improvement on the side treated with combined therapy, while only one patient showed a better result on the side treated with cyclosporine alone. A significant difference of the total score was already present after 15 days of therapy and was confirmed at the following check‐ups.
Conclusions
These results underline the usefulness of the association of calcipotriol and cyclosporine in order to decrease the total dosage of cyclosporine.
Background Association of different treatments are often used in erythrodermic psoriasis in order to increase the effectiveness and decrease the incidence of side effects due to single drugs.
...Materials and methods Three in-patients affected by erythrodermic psoriasis, not responding to cyclosporine, (two patients) and etretinate, (one patient), were treated with the association cyclosporine plus etretinate.
Results Clinical response was prompt to the combined therapy. The two drugs were tapering off gradually over 6 months; the patients maintained the remission for prolonged period.
Conclusions Combined cyclosporine-etretinate therapy may be considered as an effective and well tolerated treatment of erythrodermic psoriasis in patients not responding to monotherapy regimen.
Background
Association of different treatments are often used in erythrodermic psoriasis in order to increase the effectiveness and decrease the incidence of side effects due to single drugs.
...Materials and methods
Three in‐patients affected by erythrodermic psoriasis, not responding to cyclosporine, (two patients) and etretinate, (one patient), were treated with the association cyclosporine plus etretinate.
Results
Clinical response was prompt to the combined therapy. The two drugs were tapering off gradually over 6 months; the patients maintained the remission for prolonged period.
Conclusions
Combined cyclosporine‐etretinate therapy may be considered as an effective and well tolerated treatment of erythrodermic psoriasis in patients not responding to monotherapy regimen.
