Topical lactoferrin can improve stable psoriatic plaque

AIM: Lactoferrin (LF), a non-haem iron binding glycoprotein, shares antimicrobial properties with innate immune system components influencing proinflammatory release of cytokines involved in psoriatic plaque development. The objective of the study was to verify if LF could provide a therapeutic application in psoriasis. METHODS:An open-label, two arms, 4-week trial was designed on 30 subjects affected by mild to moderate plaque psoriasis. All patients received oral bovine LF 100 mg. Fifteen patients (group A) were topically treated with 10% LF ointment, 15 patients (group B) with 20% LF ointment. All patients applied only ointment vehicle on contra lateral target lesion as intra-patient side to side control. Efficacy was assessed by Target Lesion Score. RESULTS:Twenty-two patients completed the study. Improvement in elevation, redness and scaling was observed on LF treated psoriatic target lesions comparing to the controlateral controls (P<0.05). There was no additional efficacy for 20% versus 10% topical applications. Oral drug alone did not exert any improvement on the control plaques receiving topical placebo. CONCLUSION:Our clinical results suggest that LF could be included as a possible safe topical therapeutic option in the treatment of psoriatic plaque.