ArticleDrugs in context2022
Thalidomide and discoid lupus erythematosus: case series and review of literature.
Article in Drugs in context, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 10 citations in OpenAlex.
- Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors and janus kinase inhibitors in the treatment of cicatricial alopecia: A systematic review.PloS one · 2024Pooled it
- Modern Therapies for Discoid Lupus Erythematosus: A Narrative Review.Dermatology and therapy · 2026Review
- Persistent cutaneous lupus erythematosus: A pathway toward systemic disease?Journal of translational autoimmunity · 2026Review
- The Multifaceted Legacy of Thalidomide: Chemistry and Biology Driving Modern Drug Design.ChemMedChem · 2026Review
- Immunotargets and Therapy for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.ImmunoTargets and therapy · 2025Review
- Clinical Applications ofLife (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Review
- An update on the management of refractory cutaneous lupus erythematosus.Frontiers in medicine · 2022Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
7 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: The anti-inflammatory drug, thalidomide, is often administered off-label especially in dermatology patients with diseases refractory to different medications. The drug's mechanism of action is not well understood but clinical evidence suggests an immunomodulatory function. Although this drug is a useful tool for several dermatoses, there are associations between its use and neurotoxic and teratogenic side effects. Consequently, it is reserved only for severe and refractory cases. Methods: Herein, we present a review about thalidomide focusing on its application in dermatology, particularly on discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) treatment. We analyzed four cases of people who had a regression of DLE with a dosage of 50 mg thalidomide. Patients were followed to determine the conditions treated with thalidomide, dosage, efficacy, duration of treatment, side effects, adverse events and follow-up. A low dose of 50 mg/day induced a notable and rapid improvement within 1-2 months of treatment and no side effects have been reported so far. Results: We report four cases of DLE treated previously with the most common immunomodulatory agents with no results and finally successfully treated with thalidomide. In all four patients, despite a low dose of 50 mg/day, a notable and rapid improvement was obtained within a few months of treatment with no side effects. Conclusions: Notwithstanding the small cohort size, our experience confirms the efficacy of thalidomide for the treatment of DLE.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.