Summary
The clinical response to thalidomide in 30 male patients with Behçet's disease was reviewed. Twenty-six patients with orogenital ulcerations responded (20 completely and 6 partially). Cutaneous lesions including erythema nodosum or necrotic pseudofolliculitis were controlled by treatment in the majority of cases. All patients with arthritis responded (13 completely and 1 partially). Uveitis was improved in 3 patients, stabilizated in 4 and aggravated in 4. Patients with thalidomide purposely discontinued experienced a flare; the reintroduction of therapy controlled the flare. Side effects were uncommon and included skin rash and somnolence. These results suggest that thalidomide may be useful in the therapy of the various manifestations of Behçet's disease and that a controlled study is indicated.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Hamza, M., Ayed, K., Benayed, H. Maladie de Behçet. In: Maladies systémiques. 2nd ed., Editeur: Kahn, M.F., Peltier, A., Paris, Flammarion 1985, 668–686.
Sheskin, J. Thalidomide in the treatment of lepra reactions. Clin Pharmacol Therap 1965, 6, 303–306.
Eravelly, J., Waters, M.F.R. Thalidomide in Weber-Christian disease. Lancet 1977, 1, 251.
Gutierrez-Rodriguez, O. Thalidomide. A promising new treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum 1984, 27, 1118–1121.
Miyachi, Y. A possible mechanism of action of thalidomide on rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum 1985, 28, 836.
Samsoen, M., Grosshans, E., Basset, A. La thalidomide dans le traitement du lupus érythémateux chronique (LEC). Ann Dermatol Vénérol 1980, 107, 515–523.
Hamza, M., Chaffai, M., Benayed, H. Le traitement de la maladie de Behçet par la thalidomide. Nouv Press Med 1982, 11, 1080.
Lehner, T., Barnes, C.G. Behçet's syndrome. Clinical and immunological features. Acedemic Press, London New York 1979, 1 vol.
Shimizu, T., Ehrlich, G.E., Hayashi, K. Behçet's disease (Behçet's syndrome). Semin Arthritis Rheum 1979, 8, 223–260.
Mascaro, J.M., Lecha, M., Torras, H. Thalidomide in the treatment of recurrent, necrotic and giant mucocutaneous aphtae and aphtosis. Arch Dermatol 1979, 115, 636–637.
Bowers, P.W., Powell, R.J.E. Effect of thalidomide on orogenital ulceration. Br Med J 1983, 287, 799–800.
Saylan, T., Saltik, I. Thalidomide in the treatment of Behçet's syndrome. Arch Dermatol 1982, 118, 536.
Treves, R., Arnoud, M., Jacob, P., Lubeau, M., Tabaraud, F., Burki, F., Desprogres-Gotteron, R. Am'elioration spectaculaire des arthrites de la maladie de Behçet par la thalidomide. A propos d'un cas Rev Rhum 1984, 51, 585.
Couzigou, P., Doutre, M.S., Joudee, G., Richard Mocard, B., Fleury, B., Amouretti, M., Beylot, C., Beraud, C. Thalidomide et traitement du syndrome de Behçet. Gastroenterol Clin Biol 1983, 7, 75.
Galtier, B., Dubost, J.J., Sauvezie, B., Rampon, S. Thalidomide et maladie de Behçet. Lettre Rhumatol 1984, 20, 17–18.
Genvo, M.F., Faure, M., Thivolet, J. Thaitement de l'aphtose par la thalidomide et la colchicine. Dermatologica 1984, 168, 182–188.
Wulff, C.H., Hoyer, M., Asboe-Hansen, G., Brodthagen, H. Development of neuropathy during thalidomide therapy. Br J Dermatol 1985, 112, 475–480.
O'Duffy, J.D., Robertson, D.M., Goldstein, N.P. Chlorambucil in the treatment of uveitis and meningoencephalitis of Behçet's disease. Am J Med 1984, 76, 75–84.
Tabbara, K.F. Chlorambucil in Behçet's disease. A reappraisal. Ophtalmology 1983, 90, 906–908.
De Merieux, P., Spitler, L.E., Paulus, H.E. Treatment of Behçet's syndrome with levamisole. Arthritis Rheum 1981, 24, 64–70.
Hamza, M., Ayed, K., Benayed, H. Treatment of Behçet's disease with levamisole. Arthritis Rheum 1982, 25, 714–715.
Sakane, T., Kotani, H., Takada, S., Tsunematsu, T. Functional aberration of T-cell subsets in patients with Behçet's disease. Arthritis Rheum 1982, 25, 1343–1351.
Hastings, R.C., Morales, J.M., Shannon, E.J. Studies on the mechanism of action of thalidomide in leprosy: Pharmacologist 1976, 18, 218.
Hellmann, K., Duke, D.I., Tucker, D.F. Prolongation of skin homograft survival by thalidomide. Br Med J 1965, 2, 687–689.
Turk, J.L., Hellmann, K., Duke, D.I. Effect of thalidomide on the immunological response in local lymph nodes after a skin homograft. Lancet 1966, 1, 1134–1136.
Naafs, B., Bakkers, E.J.M., Flinterman, J., Faber, W.R. Thalidomide treatment of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Br J Dermatol 1982, 107, 83–86.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hamza, M.H. Treatment of Behçet's disease with thalidomide. Clin Rheumatol 5, 365–371 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02054255
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02054255