Topical methotrexate in dermatology: a review of the literature
Background Systemic methotrexate (MTX) is a useful treatment for many dermatologic conditions, however, the risk of adverse events prevents its use in patients with minimal or localized disease. Topical application of MTX may be an option to avoid the systemic adverse effects of oral MTX. Objective...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Dermatological Treatment |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2020.1770170 |
| _version_ | 1797683606425960448 |
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| author | Divya Aickara Arjun M. Bashyam Rita O. Pichardo Steven R. Feldman |
| author_facet | Divya Aickara Arjun M. Bashyam Rita O. Pichardo Steven R. Feldman |
| author_sort | Divya Aickara |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Systemic methotrexate (MTX) is a useful treatment for many dermatologic conditions, however, the risk of adverse events prevents its use in patients with minimal or localized disease. Topical application of MTX may be an option to avoid the systemic adverse effects of oral MTX. Objective To assess what is known about the efficacy and safety of topical methotrexate. Methods A search on Pubmed was conducted. There were no limits on publication date. Results A total of 963 articles were discovered. Using our exclusion criteria, 916 articles were excluded; 47 articles were used for full text assessment. Topical MTX has been used primarily in psoriasis but also in mycosis fungoides, lymphomatoid papulosis, and oral precancerous lesions. Optimal delivery system and formulation for adequate penetration is still under investigation. Conclusion The quality of evidence for the utility of topical methotrexate in psoriasis is good, however, for other dermatologic diseases, the quality is poor. Topical MTX with improved delivery methods may be a viable tool against certain localized dermatologic conditions for patients who do not tolerate oral MTX. Further double-blinded randomized controled studies are needed to substantiate the utility of topical methotrexate. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T00:16:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-57fa63efc2c247618e757e96d7af750c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0954-6634 1471-1753 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T00:16:55Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Dermatological Treatment |
| spelling | doaj.art-57fa63efc2c247618e757e96d7af750c2023-09-15T14:23:06ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of Dermatological Treatment0954-66341471-17532022-01-0133151251710.1080/09546634.2020.17701701770170Topical methotrexate in dermatology: a review of the literatureDivya Aickara0Arjun M. Bashyam1Rita O. Pichardo2Steven R. Feldman3Center for Dermatology Research, Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest School of MedicineCenter for Dermatology Research, Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest School of MedicineCenter for Dermatology Research, Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest School of MedicineCenter for Dermatology Research, Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest School of MedicineBackground Systemic methotrexate (MTX) is a useful treatment for many dermatologic conditions, however, the risk of adverse events prevents its use in patients with minimal or localized disease. Topical application of MTX may be an option to avoid the systemic adverse effects of oral MTX. Objective To assess what is known about the efficacy and safety of topical methotrexate. Methods A search on Pubmed was conducted. There were no limits on publication date. Results A total of 963 articles were discovered. Using our exclusion criteria, 916 articles were excluded; 47 articles were used for full text assessment. Topical MTX has been used primarily in psoriasis but also in mycosis fungoides, lymphomatoid papulosis, and oral precancerous lesions. Optimal delivery system and formulation for adequate penetration is still under investigation. Conclusion The quality of evidence for the utility of topical methotrexate in psoriasis is good, however, for other dermatologic diseases, the quality is poor. Topical MTX with improved delivery methods may be a viable tool against certain localized dermatologic conditions for patients who do not tolerate oral MTX. Further double-blinded randomized controled studies are needed to substantiate the utility of topical methotrexate.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2020.1770170topical methotrexatepsoriasistreatmenttopical therapy |
| spellingShingle | Divya Aickara Arjun M. Bashyam Rita O. Pichardo Steven R. Feldman Topical methotrexate in dermatology: a review of the literature Journal of Dermatological Treatment topical methotrexate psoriasis treatment topical therapy |
| title | Topical methotrexate in dermatology: a review of the literature |
| title_full | Topical methotrexate in dermatology: a review of the literature |
| title_fullStr | Topical methotrexate in dermatology: a review of the literature |
| title_full_unstemmed | Topical methotrexate in dermatology: a review of the literature |
| title_short | Topical methotrexate in dermatology: a review of the literature |
| title_sort | topical methotrexate in dermatology a review of the literature |
| topic | topical methotrexate psoriasis treatment topical therapy |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2020.1770170 |
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