[Resistant and progressive cutaneous lupus erythematosus treated with belimumab: A retrospective monocentric study]. / Lupus érythémateux cutanés réfractaires traités par bélimumab : étude descriptive monocentrique.

BACKGROUND: Belimumab is currently approved for the treatment of active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of belimumab in the treatment of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), resistant to conventional therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seven patients with resistant and progressive LEC and treated with belimumab were retrospectively analyzed. The efficacy and safety of belimumab were evaluated with the CLASI, RCLASI and DLQI scores, after 6 to 12 months of treatment. RESULTS: Eighty-three percent of patients demonstrated a significant clinical improvement based on the CLASI and RCLASI activity scores, including 1 complete and 4 partial responses, without worsening of CLASI and RCLASI damage scores. Eighty percent of patients also showed an improvement of their quality of life (DLQI). Oral corticosteroids were discontinued in all patients. Tolerance was acceptable with only one serious adverse event (bacteriema). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests the clinical efficiency of belimumab in a series of 7 patients presenting a resistant and progressive CLE.

Bateman purpura (dermatoporosis): a localized scurvy treated by topical vitamin C - double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Bateman purpura is characterized by diffuse senile skin atrophy, senile purpura and spontaneous stellar pseudocicatrices. Cutaneous changes in the course of ageing have been related to lower levels of ascorbic acid into the dermis of elderly people. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we postulate that senile purpura could be linked to dermal vitamin C deficiency and could be corrected by topical administration of this vitamin. METHODS: A 12-weeks, hemi-member (forearm or leg), randomized double-blind comparative study was conducted in 18 patients with Bateman purpura aged over than 60 years. At each visit, clinical assessment and biometrological measurements were performed. Clinical examination and scoring by experts showed a significant improvement on the vitamin C-treated side compared with the control, with reduction of haemorrhage areas, increase of dermal thickness. RESULTS: Twice-daily application of 5% topical vitamin C led to a clinically apparent improvement of the skin symptoms and allows beneficial effects on skin elasticity and thickness. Bateman purpura, a classical sign of photoaging whose origin has not clearly been recognized could be improved by vitamin C applied on to the skin. CONCLUSION: These results confirm the hypothesis of the underlying role of vitamin C deficiency in the determinism of Bateman purpura.