抄録
T lymphocytes play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) . Th2-skewing immunologic balance is commonly seen in patients with AD. Drugs or modalities that act on T cells for the treatment of AD can be divided into three categories: (1) immunosuppressants that inhibit transcription for cytokines, including cyclosporine A and FK506 (mainly the former is used orally and the latter topically) ; (2) Th2-inhibitory drugs/modalities, such as interferon-γ, some antiallergics, some Chinese-Japanese herbal medicine, and psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy; and (3) antigen-presenting cell-inhibitory drugs leading to T-cell inhibition, such as cyclosporine A and macrolides including FK506 and roxithromycin. These drugs/modalities are different from each other in the therapeutic efficacy and the intensity of adverse effects. For example, cyclosporine A and FK506 are highly efficacious but may evoke strong side effects. Since the severity of AD lesions varies from patient to patient, these drugs/modalities should be chozen in consideration of the diseases activity and tolerance in each patient.
