Topical FK506 (tacrolimus) therapy for facial erythematous lesions of cutaneous lupus erythematosus and dermatomyositis.

Tacrolimus is a prototype of a class of topical immunosuppressive agents with great potential for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. Topical tacrolimus therapy was applied to facial skin lesions in 11 cases of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (LE) and dermatomyositis. Of the 11 patients, 6 (3 systemic LE, one discoid LE and 2 dermatomyositis) showed a marked regression of their skin lesions after tacrolimus therapy, but 4 patients (3 discoid LE and one dermatomyositis) were resistant to the therapy. A good response was observed for facial erythematous lesions with edematous or telangiectatic changes in systemic LE and dermatomyositis. In discoid LE with typical discoid lesions, tacrolimus brought no improvement. Topical tacrolimus will become a new tool for managing the skin lesions of collagen diseases.