TOPICAL CALCIPOTRIENE FOR MORPHEA LINEAR SCLERODERMA

Background: Morphea and linear scleroderma are characterized by erythe ma, induration, telangiectasia, and dyspigmentation, There is no unive rsally effective treatment. Oral calcitriol has been beneficial in the treatment of localized and extensive morphea/scleroderma, but the use of topical calcipotriene has not been reported. Objective: The purpos e of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical cal cipotriene 0.005% ointment in the treatment of localized scleroderma. Methods: In a 3-month open-label study, 12 patients aged 12 to 38 year s with biopsy-documented active morphea or linear scleroderma applied calcipotriene ointment under occlusion twice daily to plaques for 3 mo nths. The condition of each patient had previously failed to respond t o potent topical corticosteroids and, for some patients, systemic medi cations. Efficacy was assessed at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months. Lev els of serum ionized calcium, intact parathyroid hormone, and 1,25-dih ydroxyvitamin D and of random urinary calcium excretion were measured. Results: During the 3-month trial, the condition of all 12 patients s howed statistically significant improvement in all studied features. N o adverse effects were reported or detected through laboratory monitor ing of mineral metabolism. Conclusion: Topical calcipotriene 0.005% oi ntment may be an effective treatment for localized scleroderma, but do uble-blind placebo controlled studies are needed for confirmation.