Effects of hydroxychloroquine on 'band test' in discoid lupus erythematosus

Ten cases of localized and generalized discoid lupus erythematosus are reported in which previously untreated patients were given hydroxychloroquine sulphate 600 mg daily for 10 days followed by 400 mg for 20 days. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of this drug on the 'lupus band' before and after treatment, in diseased, unaffected sun-exposed, and unaffected non sun-exposed skin. A good response from both the clinical and immunopathologic (i.e. reduction or disappearance of the immune reactants) standpoint was evident in 6/10 patients; in another 3 patients a good clinical but not immunopathologic response was recorded, while in 1 case a clinical worsening corresponded to an immunofluorescence improvement. In 5/10 cases (4 females, 1 male) one or more immunoglobulin classes which were present in the 'lupus band' before therapy remained at the dermoepidermal junction after treatment.