The novel ascomycin derivative SDZ ASM 981 is effective for psoriasis whenused topically under occlusion

Topical SDZ ASM 981 has been found to be highly effective in preclinical mo dels of T-cell-mediated skin disease. T cell activation is crucial in the p athogenesis of psoriasis. It has been hypothesized that SDZ ASM 981 may pro ve to be an effective treatment for chronic plaque psoriasis. Therefore, th e study objective was to determine the efficacy, tolerability and safety of the new topical macrolactam, SDZ ASM 981, for chronic plaque psoriasis. Te n patients with chronic plaque-type psoriasis were treated with SDZ ASM 981 (0.3% and 1.0%), the corresponding ointment base (placebo) and open-labell ed clobetasol-17-propionate ointment (0.05%) in a randomized, double-blind, within-subject comparison for 2 weeks using the microplaque assay. Evaluat ion was performed by daily determination of clinical scores for erythema an d induration. The results of the study showed that, after 2 2 weeks of trea tment, total scores decreased by 92% for clobetasol, by 82% for 1% SDZ ASR; I 981, by 63% for 0.3% SDZ ASM 981 and by 18% for the ointment base (placeb o). No adverse drug effects were seen in any patient throughout the study W e conclude from our results that the new macrolactam SDZ ASM 981 (1%) is si milar to clobetasol-17-propionate (0.05%) in plaque-type psoriasis when app lied topically under occlusion for 2 weeks using the microplaque assay.