Calcineurin inhibitors for topical therapy in psoriasis [Calcineurininhibitoren zur topischen therapie der psoriasis]

There are numerous possibilities for specific antiinflammatory therapy of psoriasis. One option is the use of calcineurin inhibitors. To date, only systemic administration of cyclosporine A is approved for this indication. Nonetheless cyclosporine A, tacrolimus and pimecrolimus can all be classed as effective anti-inflammatory agents for the therapy of psoriasis. Unfortunately, the vehicles currently available do not insure adequate topical delivery of these substances. Clinical efficacy of the preparations can be proven only when additional penetration-promoting measures are used or penetration-facilitating conditions exist. The entire group can be expected to play a greater role in the topical therapy of psoriasis if advances in vehicles and delivery systems are made. © Springer Medizin Verlag 2006.