Treatment of cutaneous sarcoidosis with thalidomide.

Abstract

Although systemic corticosteroids are effective against cutaneous sarcoidosis, alternative therapies are needed. We sought to assess the efficacy and tolerance of thalidomide for cutaneous sarcoidosis. We performed a retrospective evaluation of thalidomide (100-200 mg/d) in 12 consecutive patients with cutaneous sarcoidosis treated in a university hospital between 2000 and 2002. Cutaneous lesions regressed within 1 to 5 months, with an average time of 2 to 3 months for 10 patients. In all, 4 patients achieved complete responses, 6 had partial responses, and 2 had no regression. Nasopharyngeal, pulmonary neurologic, and hepatic symptoms were also attenuated. Thalidomide was well tolerated. The main adverse effect was deep vein thrombosis in 1 patient. Thalidomide efficacy and tolerance in patients with cutaneous sarcoidosis merits further evaluation in a controlled trial.