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ROBERT E. KRAVETZ, M.D.; THEODORE BALSAM, M.D.

Arch Dermatol. 1961;84(4):597-600.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

Since the earliest report¹ of the use of antimetabolites in the treatment of psoriasis, the secondary toxic manifestations have precluded their general acceptance. While there have been favorable comments on the use of aminopterin (4-aminopteroyl glutamic acid) in a few reports,^2-4 attention has also been drawn to the lack of responsiveness to low dose levels⁵ and to the toxic effects of this drug when used in sufficiently high dosages.⁶

Gastrointestinal toxicity was noted in 2 out of 3 patients first treated with aminopterin on this service. Hence, the application of other antimetabolites to the therapy of refractory psoriasis was undertaken.

Mercaptopurine (6-mercaptopurine, Purinethol) is a synthetic analogue of adenine and of the purine base hypoxanthine. It is reported to interfere with nucleic acid biosynthesis.⁷ There is one report of apparent failure of psoriasis to respond to a very limited course of therapy with the drug. . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

Author Affiliations
BROOKLYN

From the Department of Medicine, Dermatology Section of the Veterans Administration Hospital, Brooklyn.

Footnotes
Submitted for publication May 12, 1961.

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