Effect of Methotrexate on Inflammatory Response in Adult Atopic Dermatitis Patients

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with pruritus. Methotrexate (MTX) can be used to treat refractory disease to conventional therapy, but there are few studies showing its effect on the profile of cytokines involved in the inflammatory response.

Objectives: To assess the effect of MTX on the cytokines involved in the inflammatory response of adult AD patients treated with methotrexate for 24 weeks. As specific objectives, investigators intend to assess the evolution of serum IgE levels, the EASI (Eczema Area and Severity Index) and SCORAD (Scoring Atopic Dermatitis) severity scores and pruritus in them.

Methods: It will be conducted an open, prospective study with twelve adult patients with moderate to severe AD on MTX for 24 weeks. Each participant is expected to attend 7 visits during 6 months of follow-up. In clinical healthy and injured skin, two assessments will be performed: 1) mRNA expression of IL-4, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-22, IL-31, oncostatin M receptor (OSMR), alpha subunit IL-31 (IL-31RA) receptor, TNF-α, IFN-γ, TSLP, TARC and MDC by Real Time-PCR at the initial week and week 24; 2) expression of IL-31, IL-31RA, OSMR, TSLP and Ki67 by immunohistochemistry at the initial week and week 24.

Skin samples from non-atopic subjects will be utilized as controls for the assays, paired by gender and age.

Additional analysis of serum levels of IgE (nephelometric method) at the initial week and week 24 of the study will be performed.

AD severity scores (EASI and SCORAD) will be tested and pruritus will be analyzed by a visual analog scale at the initial, week 12 and week 24.

Inclusion criteria

• AD (Hanifin and Rajka criteria) moderate to severe (EASI ≥ 7.1 and SCORAD ≥ 25);
• Age ≥ 18 years;
• Women without the potential to become pregnant or using an effective method of contraception and with a negative pregnancy blood test;
• Men without a desire of pregnancy and who use condom in sexual intercourse.

Exclusion criteria

• Hepatic and / or renal insufficiency;
• Anemia, thrombocytopenia and / or leukopenia;
• Use of concomitant hepatotoxic drug;
• Active infection;
• Allergy to MTX;
• Excessive alcohol intake;
• Difficulty to understand how to take methotrexate;
• HIV infection or other immunosuppression condition;
• Therapy with UVA or UVB, corticoid, cyclosporine, immunobiological, azathioprine within 12 weeks prior to introduction of methotrexate.