Anke Suess1, Michael Sticherling. 1. Department of Dermatology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. anke.suess@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE), a distinct clinical subset of lupus erythematosus, remains a therapeutic challenge, especially in cases resistant to topical and standard systemic therapy. Leflunomide, a novel antirheumatic drug, has shown efficacy in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus in pilot studies. METHODS: We report two patients with SCLE who demonstrated the spectrum of possible clinical responses to leflunomide therapy. RESULTS: One patient experienced a complete clinical remission of symptoms, whereas the other developed a massive skin reaction which was distinctly related to the commencement of leflunomide therapy. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first time that remission and deterioration of SCLE by leflunomide therapy have been described.
BACKGROUND: Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE), a distinct clinical subset of lupus erythematosus, remains a therapeutic challenge, especially in cases resistant to topical and standard systemic therapy. Leflunomide, a novel antirheumatic drug, has shown efficacy in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus in pilot studies. METHODS: We report two patients with SCLE who demonstrated the spectrum of possible clinical responses to leflunomide therapy. RESULTS: One patient experienced a complete clinical remission of symptoms, whereas the other developed a massive skin reaction which was distinctly related to the commencement of leflunomide therapy. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first time that remission and deterioration of SCLE by leflunomide therapy have been described.
Authors: Onkar P Kulkarni; Sufyan G Sayyed; Claudia Kantner; Mi Ryu; Max Schnurr; Miklós Sárdy; Johann Leban; Ruediger Jankowsky; Aldo Ammendola; Robert Doblhofer; Hans-Joachim Anders Journal: Am J Pathol Date: 2010-04-22 Impact factor: 4.307