The Efficacy of Low-Dose Enoxaparin in Psoriasis
Date
2022-01-01
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar Üniversitesi
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Psoriasis is a frequently encountered inflammatory skin disease with unclear etiology and no curative
therapy. Enoxaparin is a low-molecular weight heparin analogue. Heparin and its analogues in low doses have
antiproliferative and immunomodulatory effects. Low-dose enoxaparin has inhibitory effects on T cell-mediated
immune reactions. T lymphocytes play a key role in the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis. The aim of this study was
to evaluate the efficacy of low-dose enoxaparin in the treatment of psoriasis. Twenty-three patients with chronic
plaque and guttate psoriasis were enrolled in an open study. Patients were given subcutaneous injections of 5 mg
enoxaparin once weekly for a total of 6 weeks. There was a statistically significant difference between the PASI
(Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) scores at the beginning and at the 6th week follow up (p=0.008). Four out
of 23 patients (17%) showed marked improvement (≥50% reduction in PASI score), 8 patients (35%) showed
moderate improvement (25-49% reduction in PASI score), 5 patients (22%) were unchanged (<25% reduction in
PASI score). Six patients (26%) experienced worsening with a corresponding increase in the PASI scores. Based on
these findings, 52% of patients were considered to get benefit from enoxaparin treatment. No systemic side-effects
due to enoxaparin were observed. The only local side-effect recorded in 7 patients (30%) was ecchymosis at the
injection site. Low-dose enoxaparin, which appears to be safe, is a candidate to become a future alternative in the
treatment of psoriasis. Further studies assessing the optimum dose and duration of treatment, as well as patient
subgroups that will benefit most from enoxaparin treatment are warranted. In addition, efficacy of enoxaparin in
psoriasis should be compared to those of standard therapeutic modalities.