CDP + BPO and ADA are both effective treatments for acne, but CDP + BPO has a significantly earlier onset of action, is significantly more effective against inflamed and total lesions and is better tolerated, which should improve patient compliance.

The distribution of thymus-derived (T) and bone marrow-derived (B) lymphocytes in 100 patients with psoriasis were studied by the rosetting techniques. Depression of the number of T lymphocytes forming spontaneous rosettes with sheep erythrocytes (E rosettes) occurred in 66% of patients, whereas no difference in B lymphocytes bearing C3 receptor (EAC rosettes) was observed between psoriatics and normals. The decrease in E rosettes was associated with the active phase of the disease. This disappeared 4-6 wk after onset of remission, which suggested that the abnormality in T-cell marker distribution is transitional. Lymphocytes forming neither E nor EAC rosettes, which were found to be significantly increased in active psoriasis, were identified as T lymphocytes since they reacquired normal E rosette function during short-term preincubation with concanavalin A (Con A). A serum factor was also demonstrated which inhibited E rosette formation by normal peripheral blood lymphocytes. Its activity increased linearly within 2 mo from the onset of skin lesions. The data suggest that in active psoriasis serum factors may be coated on the lymphocyte surface membrane which may be responsible for blocking of specific receptor for sheep erythrocytes and/or interfere with T lymphocyte function.

CDP + BPO and ERY + Zn are effective treatments for acne but CDP + BPO has an earlier onset of action that should improve patient compliance.

A randomized, double-blind, left-right, vehicle-controlled study to assess the therapeutic efficacy and safety of twice daily application of 15 micrograms/g calcitriol ointment for a period of 6 weeks was performed in 32 patients suffering from bilateral, symmetrical, severe chronic plaque psoriasis. Twice daily 15 micrograms/g calcitriol ointment significantly improved erythema, induration, scaling and global severity of psoriatic plaques, and was much more effective than vehicle ointment. The difference in overall clinical efficacy between calcitriol and vehicle was statistically significant from week 1 onwards, and was maintained over the entire study. On completion of the study, clearance of psoriatic lesions was found in 47% of calcitriol-treated sides and in 13% of vehicle-treated sides. Skin histopathology of calcitriol-treated sides revealed a return to normal keratinization, with decreased inflammatory cell infiltration in the dermis and disappearance of the inflammatory infiltrate from the epidermis. Three patients had asymptomatic hypercalcaemia during the study. Mean serum levels of total calcium, albumin-adjusted total calcium, phosphorus, 25-hydroxyvitamin D and calcitriol did not show statistically significant changes in the baseline/end-point comparisons.