Calcipotriol improves the efficacy of cyclosporine in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of the association of calcipotriol ointment (50 mu g/g) plus cyclosporine versus cyclosporine alone in the treatment of moderate psoriasis (mean PASI: 13). Methods Twenty patients were enrolled in this right-left open study. All the patients admitted were treated with cylosporine at an initial dose of 4.5 mg/kg/day; in case of clinical improvement this dosage was reduced by 0.5 mg/kg/day every 15 days. In each patient we chose two similar, symmetrical lesions and calcipotriol ointment was applied only on the right lesion, twice a day, until the healing of the lesion or for 1 month. Patients were checked at baseline and every 15 days. Results Eighteen patients completed the study and 17 of the 18 presented more evident improvement on the side treated with combined therapy, while only one patient showed a better result on the side treated with cyclosporine alone. A significant difference of the total score was already present after 15 days of therapy and was confirmed at the following check-ups. Conclusions These results underline the usefulness of the association of calcipotriol and cyclosporine in order to decrease the total dosage of cyclosporine. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.