Efficacy of calcipotriol ointment applied under hydrocolloid occlusion in psoriasis

Background: Hydrocolloid (HCD) dressings enhance the efficacy of topical co rticosteroids. Objective: We wanted to evaluate the effect of calcipotriol ointment under an HCD dressing in the treatment of psoriatic plaques. Metho ds: In 9 psoriatic patients, we cleared one plaque using this approach and took biopsies at start, clearance and relapse, Clinical and immunohistochem ical validation was assessed. Results: After an average treatment of 3.6 we eks, each lesion had cleared (apart from some residual erythema). The avera ge remission period was 8 weeks. During this treatment, the number of cycli ng epidermal cells (Ki-67-positive nuclei) and the expression of keratin 14 and keratin 16 had decreased substantially. In biopsies taken from the ski n immediately adjacent to the relapsing lesion, these markers remained redu ced which indicated the prolonged effect of calcipotriol on epidermal diffe rentiation. Conclusion: It is speculated that combination therapy of calcip otriol with treatments with a different mode of action such as photo(chemo) therapy, corticosteroids and cyclosporine might be worthwhile. Copyright (R ) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.