Efficacy of Topical Tacrolimus in Different Subtypes With Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE)
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2007-02-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of topical tacrolimus in different
subtypes of cutaneous lupus erythematosus. As shown by several groups activated memory T
lymphocytes play a key role in the pathogenesis of lupus erythematosus. Tacrolimus targets T
lymphocytes and suppresses their activation by inhibiting the expression of cytokine genes,
such as IL-2. Therefore, treatment of cutaneous lupus erythematosus with topical tacrolimus
might result in an improvement of skin lesions in such patients.