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- Title
Pimecrolimus Identifies a Common Genomic Anti-inflammatory Profile, is Clinically Highly Effective in Psoriasis and is Well Tolerated.
- Authors
Rappersberger, Klemens; Komar, Michael; Ebelin, Marie-Eve; Scott, Graham; Burtin, Pascale; Greig, Gerard; Kehren, Jeanne; Chibout, Salah-Dine; Cordier, Andre; Holter, Wolfgang; Richter, Leo; Oberbauer, Rainer; Stuetz, Anton; Wolff, Klaus
- Abstract
The ascomycin macrolactam pimecrolimus is a novel inflammatory cytokine release inhibitor that so far has not been administered systemically to humans. In this phase I/II randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple rising dose proof of concept study psoriasis patients were treated with oral pimecrolimus or placebo. Gene profiling identified a common genomic profile with a downregulation of genes associated with inflammation but no changes in gene expression linked to drug-related side-effects. A steady state of pimecrolimus was reached after 5–10 d, Cmax , and area under the curve (0–24) was 54.5 ng per ml and 589.9 ng h per ml, respectively, at steady state at the highest dose. There was clear clinical efficacy in patients receiving 20 mg pimecrolimus twice daily and 30 mg twice daily with a reduction of Psoriasis Area and Severity Index by 60% and 75%, respectively. Histopatho logically and immunopathologically there was a reversion of the psoriatic phenotype towards normal. There were no notable clinical, laboratory, kidney function, or immunologic side-effects. We conclude that pimecrolimus taken orally is highly effective in a concentration-dependent manner in patients with psoriasis and on a short-term basis it is well tolerated and this is confirmed by its pharmacogenomic profile. The latter also indicates that pimecrolimus should be equally effective in other inflammatory skin diseases.
- Subjects
CYTOKINES; PSORIASIS; INFLAMMATION
- Publication
Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2002, Vol 119, Issue 4, p876
- ISSN
0022-202X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1046/j.1523-1747.2002.00694.x