ZIDOVUDINE FOR THE TREATMENT OF HIV-NEGATIVE PATIENTS WITH PSORIASIS - A PILOT-STUDY

Background: Zidovudine, an inhibitor of HIV replication, has been repo rted to improve psoriasis in HIV-positive patients. Objective: Our pur pose was to evaluate the safety, tolerance, and effectiveness of oral zidovudine for treating psoriasis in HIV-negative patients in a small, open-label study. Methods: Each subject received 200 mg of zidovudine every 4 hours during waking hours, for a total of 1000 mg/day. Treatm ent was continued for 8 weeks, at which time the patient's response to therapy was evaluated. If a response was evident, treatment was conti nued for an additional 8 weeks. Clinical response was correlated with histologic changes in skin lesions at 0 and 4 weeks. Results: Thirty-t hree percent of HIV-negative patients with psoriasis showed improvemen t by up to 80% after 16 weeks of therapy; decreased elevation and scal ing of the psoriasis plaques were the most notable changes. No complet e remissions occurred. Conclusion: This is the first report of the use of zidovudine to treat HIV-negative patients with psoriasis. Although zidovudine was well tolerated, it may be more effective in HIV-positi ve patients with psoriasis.