HORIZONS IN PHARMACOLOGICAL INTERVENTION IN ALLERGIC CONTACT-DERMATITIS

The treatment of allergic contact dermatitis remains a major challenge . Current management strategies consist of elimination of the allergen when possible and therapy for symptoms with topical or systemic corti costeroids. With increasing exposure of the human skin to environmenta l antigens and haptens, more selective treatment options are needed. A dvances in the elucidation of the skin immune system and of the cellul ar and molecular events in immunologic processes may allow targeted me thods of controlling delayed hypersensitivity reactions. This review f ocuses on mechanisms of established therapeutic agents and new develop ments, such as FK 506 (tacrolimus), pentoxifylline, and vitamin D-3 de rivative, for suppression of any phase of allergic contact dermatitis.