TREATMENT OF LOCALIZED SCLERODERMA WITH ORAL 1.25-DIHYDROXYVITAMIN D-3

1,25-dihydroxychollecalciferol (1.25 (OH)(2) D-3) causes dose-dependen t inhibition of fibroblast growth and collagen synthesis and has numer ous immunoregulatory activities. We assessed the effects of oral 1.25 (OH)(2) D-3 in the treatment of seven patients with localized sclerode rma (LS). Oral 1.25 (OH)(2) D-3 (Rocaltrol(R), Roche) was given at a m ean dose of 1.75 mu g/day. The effects of the treatment were evaluated using clinical examination and physical measurements. After the treat ment period (2 to 24 months), a complete clearing of the lesions occur red in 4 patients. A significant improvement, as compared with baselin e values, was observed in three others. No werious side effects were o bserved. These results suggest that high-dose 1.25 (OH)(2) D-3 may be a useful therapeutic agent for localized scleroderma.