Photophoresis Versus Ciclosporine in Severe Atopic Dermatitis

Ciclosporine and Extracorporal Photopheresis (ECP) Are Equipotent in Treating Severe Atopic Dermatitis (AD): A Randomized Cross-over Study Comparing Two Efficient Treatment Modalities

Severe atopic dermatitis (AD) is a recurrent and debilitating disease often requiring systemic immunosuppressive treatment. The efficacy of cyclosporine A (CsA) is well proven but potential side effects are concerning. Several reports point at extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) as an efficient alternative treatment modality with few and mild side effects. However, no direct comparison between CsA and ECP in the treatment of AD has been performed so far. In this trial we test the hypothesis that ECP is non-inferior to standard treatment with CsA.

Inclusion Criteria:

Criteria of inclusion were refractoriness to standard topical treatment (corticosteroid ointments, UVA, UVB, PUVA, tar).

Exclusion Criteria:

Criteria of exclusion were pregnancy, uncontrolled hypertension, previous malignancy, infectious disease, liver/kidney disease or active treatment with ECP or immunosuppressants within 4 weeks prior to start of trial.