NGF, a useful tool in the treatment of chronic vasculitic ulcers in rheumatoid arthritis

Vasculitic necrosis and ulceration of the skin are frequent complications o f connective tissue diseases and are very difficult to heal. We treated chr onic vasculitic leg ulcers in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis b y topical application of nerve growth factor (NGF). In all patients with rh eumatoid arthritis, NGF led to rapid healing, whereas less striking results were obtained in patients with systemic sclerosis. The efficacy of NGF cou ld be due to its promoting activity on keratinocytes proliferation and vasc ular neoangiogenisis. We suggest that topical application of NGF could repr esent a powerful pharmacological tool for the treatment of vasculitic ulcer s.