Effects of Pimecrolimus Cream 1% on the Molecular and Cellular Profile of Adult Male Patients With Atopic Dermatitis

Inclusion Criteria: Inclusion criteria for patients with atopic dermatitis: Outpatient at screening Adult male >20 years old Diagnosis of AD fulfilling the Hannifin and Rajka criteria Mild to moderate AD (Investigator Global Assessment [IGA] 2-3; localized eczema area and severity index [EASI] 1-8) AD affecting both arms and/or legs >10cm2 per target area Willing to undergo 4 mm serial punch biopsies Patient history of AD for at least 3 years Inclusion criteria for healthy volunteers: Volunteers must be males >20 years of age Volunteers must be in good health, as determined by past medical history, physical examination, and vital signs Exclusion Criteria: Exclusion criteria for patients with atopic dermatitis: Concurrent diseases/conditions and history of other diseases/conditions Are immunocompromised or have a history of malignant disease Have a history of rheumatic fever, heart valve replacement, prosthetic joints or other prosthetic constituents Have concurrent skin disease (e.g. acne) of such severity in the study area that it could interfere with the study evaluation Have previously reported poor or no clinical response to topical tacrolimus ointment (Protopic®) or pimecrolimus cream (Elidel®) Have active skin infections Present with clinical conditions other than atopic dermatitis that can interfere with the study treatment Present with severe medical condition(s) that, in the opinion of the investigator, prohibits participation in the study Are maintained on emollients that contain supplementary ingredients such as urea, alpha or beta-hydroxy acids, fruit acids, vitamins A, D or E Have received phototherapy (e.g. UVA, UVB) or systemic therapy (e.g. immunosuppressants, cytostatics) known or suspected to have an effect on AD within 4 weeks of Visit 1 (screening) Have received systemic corticosteroids ([CS] e.g. oral, intravenous, intraarticular, rectal) within 4 weeks of Visit 1 (screening). Patients on a stable maintenance dose of inhaled or intranasal CS may participate Were treated with topical therapy, including topical calcineurin inhibitors (e.g. corticosteroids, tar) known or suspected to have an effect on AD during the current acute episode Were treated with antihistamines within 7 days of Visit 1 Known serious adverse reactions or hypersensitivity to anesthetics such as lidocaine or mepivacaine Excluded investigational drugs/hypersensitivity Have received investigational drugs within 8 weeks of the first application of study drug or planned use of other investigational drugs during participation in this study Have known hypersensitivity to any ingredient of the pimecrolimus cream 1% or this class of study drug Exclusion criteria for healthy volunteers: Erythrodermic patients, patients with Netherton's syndrome Personal or family history of atopy (asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis) Clinically significant findings during the physical examination Have a history of rheumatic fever, heart valve replacement, prosthetic joints or other prosthetic constituents e.g. lens implants or hip joints Volunteers with known serious adverse reactions or hypersensitivity to anesthetics such as lidocaine or mepivacaine Participation in any clinical trial within one month prior to current trial History of immunocompromise History of positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or hepatitis C test result Use of corticosteroids within 4 weeks prior to baseline Were treated with antihistamines within 7 days of Visit 1 Phototherapy within 4 weeks prior to baseline Topical therapy within 5 weeks prior to the study Treatment with nephrotoxic drugs within 2 weeks prior to baseline (aminoglycosides, amphotericin B, colchicine)