New developments in the treatment of psoriasis

During the previous 10 years, important innovations have been developed in the treatment of psoriasis. Calcipotriol has been introduced in most countr ies already 10 years ago and more recently 2 other vitamin D-3 analogues ha ve become available: calcitriol and tacalitol. In some countries, the topic al retinoid tazarotene has been registered as a routine treatment in psoria sis. Evidence-based data on the efficacy and safety of combination treatmen ts are accumulating. In particular, the combination of calcipotriol and top ical corticosteroids has been shown to be very effective and safe. The comb ination of systemic treatments is controversial. In individual patients, th e risk of combining major therapies should be balanced against the need to enhance efficacy in individuals. New leads in experimental treatments are n ew vitamin D-3 analogues and new retinoids as well as 4-hydroxylase- and 24 -hydroxylase inhibitors. Important innovations in immunomodulatory treatmen ts are: tacrolimus, ascomycine, anti-CD4, anti-CD25, peptide T and LFA3TIP. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.