Tacrolimus Ointment 0.1% Alone and in Combination with Medium-Dose UVA1 in the Treatment of Palmar or Plantar Psoriasis
June 2006 | Volume 5 | Issue 6 | 505 | Copyright © June 2006
Jennifer Rivard MD, Jennifer Janiga MD, Henry W. Lim MD
Abstract
Psoriasis is a common skin condition affecting approximately 2.6% of the population in the US. The most effective current
therapies for psoriasis have suppressive activity against T lymphocytes directly or by modulating the biologic effects
of inflammatory cytokines. Tacrolimus has been used successfully to treat a number of T cell-mediated diseases. UVA1
has been shown to induce T lymphocyte apoptosis. Combination treatment is commonly used in the management of
psoriasis. Therefore, this pilot study was performed to evaluate if the combination of medium-dose UVA1
(50 J/cm2) and tacrolimus ointment is effective for the treatment of palmar plantar psoriasis. A total of 5 patients completed
the study of 30 UVA1 treatments, and another patient completed half of the treatments. No dramatic changes
in plaque thickness or scaling were seen with either tacrolimus alone or with the combination of tacrolimus and medium
dose UVA1 on palmar or plantar psoriasis. 
