A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Tacrolimus Versus Hydrocortisone for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis in Children: New Perspectives on Interferon Gamma-induced Protein and Growth-related Oncogene-α

Overview

Journal Front Med (Lausanne)

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2024 Aug 8

PMID 39114823

Authors

Ammena Y Binsaleh

Mostafa M Bahaa

Thanaa A Elmasry

Eman I Elberri

Fedaa A Kotkata

Eman El-Khateeb

Marwa Kamal

Marwa Ahmed El-Samongy

Amir O Hamouda

Amira M Alghamdi

Sarah Alrubia

Muhammed M Salahuddin

Nashwa Eltantawy

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a type of chronic inflammatory disorder that affects children.

Aim: To investigate whether hydrocortisone or tacrolimus could be more effective for treating AD in children.

Patients And Methods: This clinical randomized investigation included 100 children with AD who met the eligibility criteria. AD patients were recruited from Tanta University's Dermatology Department and divided into two groups ( = 50)., For four months, group 1 (the hydrocortisone group) received topical hydrocortisone cream. Group 2 received topical tacrolimus for four months. A dermatologist evaluated the patients at the start and four months after the treatment had been initiated to measure serum concentrations of neutrophil chemoattractant growth-related oncogene-α (GRO-α), interferon gamma induced protein 10 (IP-10), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), vascular adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1). All patients were examined using the modified Eczema Area and Severity Index (mEASI) score.

Results: Tacrolimus group showed a significant reduction in serum levels of all measured biomarkers ( < 0.05) when compared to its baseline and when compared to the hydrocortisone group. Both groups displayed a significant decline in mEASI score in comparison with their baseline values ( < 0.05).

Conclusion: In children with AD, tacrolimus reduces inflammatory biomarkers better than hydrocortisone, suggesting its potential as a more effective treatment option.

Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT05607901.

Citing Articles

Flavonoids as Natural Anti-Inflammatory Agents in the Atopic Dermatitis Treatment.

Zawawi N, Ahmad H, Madatheri R, Fadilah N, Maarof M, Fauzi M Pharmaceutics. 2025; 17(2).

PMID: 40006628 PMC: 11859288. DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics17020261.

Tacrolimus versus hydrocortisone in management of atopic dermatitis in children, a randomized controlled double-blind study: New insights on TARC, CTACK, TSLP, and E-selectin.

Binsaleh A, Kotkata F, Bahaa M, Hamouda A, El-Gammal M, Elberri A Immun Inflamm Dis. 2024; 12(11):e70028.

PMID: 39588929 PMC: 11590034. DOI: 10.1002/iid3.70028.

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