Tacrolimus for the management of psoriasis: clinical utility and place in therapy

Nina Malecic,1,2 Helen Young2 1Manchester Medical School, 2The Dermatology Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK Abstract: Psoriasis affects 1%–3% of the population in the United Kingdom and can convey significant detriment to...

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Main Authors: Malecic N, Young H
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Dove Medical Press 2016-12-01
Series:Psoriasis: Targets and Therapy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.dovepress.com/tacrolimus-for-the-management-of-psoriasis-clinical-utility-and-place--peer-reviewed-article-PTT
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author Malecic N
Young H
author_facet Malecic N
Young H
author_sort Malecic N
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description Nina Malecic,1,2 Helen Young2 1Manchester Medical School, 2The Dermatology Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK Abstract: Psoriasis affects 1%–3% of the population in the United Kingdom and can convey significant detriment to the physical and mental health of sufferers. Plaques of psoriasis typically affect the extensor skin surfaces and scalp. Less frequently inverse psoriasis can affect more sensitive skin such as the face, genitals, and intertriginous areas. Psoriasis is incurable, but there are a range of treatment modalities that can be used to manage the condition. Treatment options include topical preparations, phototherapy, systemic therapy, and biological agents. Tacrolimus is a macrolide calcineurin inhibitor licensed for immunosuppression in transplant patients and topical administration in atopic dermatitis. Tacrolimus administered orally and in topical form has been shown to produce successful outcomes in patients with psoriasis. Topical tacrolimus is particularly effective for inverse psoriasis, which is likely to be due to the reduced level of induration seen in these psoriatic lesions, which allows greater skin penetrance, compared with hyperkeratotic plaques of psoriasis on the body. It is also notable that the areas affected by inverse psoriasis are more susceptible to adverse effects of topical corticosteroid therapy, and thus a topical preparation without the risk of skin atrophy, telangiectasia, and striae could be a valuable addition to current topical treatment options. Oral tacrolimus has shown efficacy in the treatment of severe, refractory psoriasis. Compared to ciclosporin, systemic tacrolimus may be more suited to a patient population with increased cardiovascular risk. This review will draw together the current literature on topical and oral tacrolimus for the treatment of psoriasis. Efficacy and safety have been evaluated by case reports and randomized controlled trials and comparisons have been made between tacrolimus therapy and standard treatment. Keywords: tacrolimus, psoriasis, topical therapy, oral treatment
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spelling doaj.art-be6680819bf14dcdbe55d54dd2411f572022-12-21T19:30:45ZengDove Medical PressPsoriasis: Targets and Therapy2230-326X2016-12-01Volume 615316330372Tacrolimus for the management of psoriasis: clinical utility and place in therapyMalecic NYoung HNina Malecic,1,2 Helen Young2 1Manchester Medical School, 2The Dermatology Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK Abstract: Psoriasis affects 1%–3% of the population in the United Kingdom and can convey significant detriment to the physical and mental health of sufferers. Plaques of psoriasis typically affect the extensor skin surfaces and scalp. Less frequently inverse psoriasis can affect more sensitive skin such as the face, genitals, and intertriginous areas. Psoriasis is incurable, but there are a range of treatment modalities that can be used to manage the condition. Treatment options include topical preparations, phototherapy, systemic therapy, and biological agents. Tacrolimus is a macrolide calcineurin inhibitor licensed for immunosuppression in transplant patients and topical administration in atopic dermatitis. Tacrolimus administered orally and in topical form has been shown to produce successful outcomes in patients with psoriasis. Topical tacrolimus is particularly effective for inverse psoriasis, which is likely to be due to the reduced level of induration seen in these psoriatic lesions, which allows greater skin penetrance, compared with hyperkeratotic plaques of psoriasis on the body. It is also notable that the areas affected by inverse psoriasis are more susceptible to adverse effects of topical corticosteroid therapy, and thus a topical preparation without the risk of skin atrophy, telangiectasia, and striae could be a valuable addition to current topical treatment options. Oral tacrolimus has shown efficacy in the treatment of severe, refractory psoriasis. Compared to ciclosporin, systemic tacrolimus may be more suited to a patient population with increased cardiovascular risk. This review will draw together the current literature on topical and oral tacrolimus for the treatment of psoriasis. Efficacy and safety have been evaluated by case reports and randomized controlled trials and comparisons have been made between tacrolimus therapy and standard treatment. Keywords: tacrolimus, psoriasis, topical therapy, oral treatmenthttps://www.dovepress.com/tacrolimus-for-the-management-of-psoriasis-clinical-utility-and-place--peer-reviewed-article-PTTTacrolimuspsoriasistopical therapyoral treatment
spellingShingle Malecic N
Young H
Tacrolimus for the management of psoriasis: clinical utility and place in therapy
Psoriasis: Targets and Therapy
Tacrolimus
psoriasis
topical therapy
oral treatment
title Tacrolimus for the management of psoriasis: clinical utility and place in therapy
title_full Tacrolimus for the management of psoriasis: clinical utility and place in therapy
title_fullStr Tacrolimus for the management of psoriasis: clinical utility and place in therapy
title_full_unstemmed Tacrolimus for the management of psoriasis: clinical utility and place in therapy
title_short Tacrolimus for the management of psoriasis: clinical utility and place in therapy
title_sort tacrolimus for the management of psoriasis clinical utility and place in therapy
topic Tacrolimus
psoriasis
topical therapy
oral treatment
url https://www.dovepress.com/tacrolimus-for-the-management-of-psoriasis-clinical-utility-and-place--peer-reviewed-article-PTT
work_keys_str_mv AT malecicn tacrolimusforthemanagementofpsoriasisclinicalutilityandplaceintherapy
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