Biomedical subjects

Mark Lebwohl

Publications and source records attributed to Mark Lebwohl.

76 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Alefacept-induced decreases in circulating blood lymphocyte counts correlate with clinical response in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis.

This international, double-blind study examined the effects of alefacept on circulating lymphocytes in 507 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis, and determined whether these effects were related to clinical improvement. Patients were randomized to intramuscular placebo, alefacept 10 mg, or alefacept 15 mg once weekly for 12 weeks followed by 12 weeks of observation. Alefacept dose-dependently reduced CD4+ and CD8+ memory T cells, while sparing the na ve population. The greatest reductions in disease activity occurred in patients with the largest decreases in memory T cells. For example, a 50 % reduction from baseline Psoriasis Area Severity Index at any time during treatment or follow-up was observed in 66 % of patients who had the greatest reductions in CD4+ memory T cells versus in 40 % of patients who had the smallest reductions in this T-cell subset. These results provide further support for the deleterious roles of CD4+ and CD8+ memory T-cell subpopulations in psoriasis pathogenesis.

Alefacept↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Potential future dermatological indications for tacrolimus ointment.

Tacrolimus ointment is a steroid-free topical immunomodulator developed for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, a common, chronic inflammatory skin disease. By inhibiting T-cell activation and cytokine production, topically applied tacrolimus modulates inflammatory responses in the skin. Numerous clinical trials have shown that it is effective and well tolerated for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, its licensed indication. In addition, numerous publications suggest that tacrolimus ointment may provide effective treatment for a variety of other inflammatory skin disorders, many of which are very difficult to manage with standard therapy. This paper reviews currently available evidence regarding the use of tacrolimus ointment in a range of dermatological disorders, including psoriasis, lichen planus, pyoderma gangrenosum, lichen sclerosus, contact dermatitis, leg ulcers in rheumatoid arthritis, steroid-induced rosacea and alopecia areata. It also provides recommendations for future clinical studies with tacrolimus ointment.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Overview on desonide 0.05%: a clinical safety profile.

Desonide (as a cream, ointment, or lotion formulation) is widely used for the treatment of steroid-responsive dermatoses. This paper provides information on its safety record, as determined from adverse event reports and published trial results. A pharmacovigilance program, initiated in 1992 for all countries where desonide is available, collected reports of adverse events associated with topical desonide over nine years. Published accounts of randomized, controlled trials of desonide in comparison with hydrocortisone were reviewed. Sixty-two reports have been collected; most were from consumers and were not medically substantiated. There were no serious reactions directly attributable to desonide treatment and the majority of events reported were classified as expected local reactions, generally mild in nature. This level of reporting is against a background of extensive prescribing of desonide; almost one million packs are dispensed per annum in the US alone. The excellent safety profile of desonide revealed by this pharmacovigilance program is supported by a review of published clinical trial results.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Clobetasol propionate 0.05% lotion in the treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis: a randomized evaluation versus clobetasol propionate emollient cream.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory and pruritic skin disorder marked by alternating periods of relapse and remission. This multicenter, randomized, active- and vehicle-controlled, investigator-blinded study compared the efficacy and safety of clobetasol propionate lotion to clobetasol propionate cream formulation and lotion vehicle in the treatment of moderate to severe AD. A total of 229 subjects applied treatment twice-daily for 2 weeks. Clobetasol propionate lotion was significantly more effective than its lotion vehicle at 2 weeks and comparable to the cream formulation. Clinical success after a 2-week, treatment-free follow-up period was greater in the clobetasol propionate lotion group than in the cream group. Clobetasol propionate lotion is effective, safe, well tolerated and offers a better remission profile in the treatment of moderate to severe AD as compared to clobetasol propionate emollient cream.

Administration, Topical↗