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Psoriasis and pentoxifylline: a clinical, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical evaluation
Geraldo Magela Magalhães1, Sueli Coelho da Silva Carneiro, Karla Peisino do Amaral
1Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. germagela@ig.com.br
Objective:
The aim of this study was to examine the clinical and histopathologic effects of pentoxifylline on psoriasis, compared with placebo.
Methods:
Sixty-one outpatients with active psoriasis were randomly assigned to either of 2 groups: one was given pentoxifylline 400 mg tid PO, and the other, placebo. Fifty-six patients concluded the study. They were evaluated clinically and by laboratory parameters before and after 8 weeks of treatment. Pretreatment and posttreatment biopsies were taken. Initial sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin. Further cuts were immunostained for cytokeratins 10, 14, and 16.
Results:
Clinical and histologic improvement did not show statistically significant differences between the groups. No laboratory abnormalities or serious reactions related to the drug were observed.
Conclusions:
No statistical difference was seen when the treatment group was compared with the control group. Pentoxifylline is a well tolerated and safe drug, but its efficacy in psoriasis appears to be limited.