FUMARIC-ACID ESTERS (FAES) SUPPRESS CD-15-POSITIVE AND ODP-4-POSITIVECELLS IN PSORIASIS

A histological-immunohistological study was conducted to investigate t he effect of systemically administered fumaric acid esters (FAEs) on e pidermal thickness and composition of the inflammatory infiltrate in p soriatic plaques. The very first effect of systemic therapy with FAEs is the disappearance of CD 15-positive cells in and beneath the epider mis, accompanied by a significant reduction in T-helper cells beneath the epidermis, pointing to an immunosuppressive effect. This is follow ed after some delay by a reduction in acanthosis and hyperkeratosis. T he reduction in infiltrating T-lymphocytes corresponds to that seen af ter systemic or intralesional therapy with cyclosporin. However, the n ormalization of the psoriatic plaques takes longer under the influence of FAEs than under cyclosporin.