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Tacrolimus is a macrolide immunosuppressive agent, and tacrolimus ointment has been used as therapy for atopic dermatitis worldwide. Given that the immunosuppressive action of tacrolimus raises at least the theoretical potential for an increased risk of skin cancer, accurate assessment of the risk of developing skin cancer by tacrolimus ointment is necessary. The objective of the present study is to investigate the skin tumorigenic potential of commercially available tacrolimus ointment. We conducted a skin carcinogenicity study using an initiation-promotion (I/P) mouse model. Our study consisted of six groups (26 mice/group): sham control, absorptive ointment (AO), macrogol ointment (MO), tacrolimus ointment (TO) vehicle control, TO 0.03%, and TO 0.1%. Following a single administration of 7,12-dimethylbenz[α] anthracene (DMBA) to the dorsal skin of mice as an initiator, 12-O-tetra-decanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) as a promoter and the test drugs were topically administered for 18 weeks. The incidence of skin hyperplasia in the TO 0.03% and TO 0.1% groups was reduced compared with both control groups (P < 0.05). Further, the incidence of skin neoplasia in the TO 0.03% (P < 0.05) and TO 0.1% groups (P < 0.01) was reduced in a dose-dependent manner compared with the sham control group. Tumor promotion effects on skin carcinogenesis were observed in the AO group, whereas inhibitory effects were observed in the MO group. TO 0.03% and TO 0.1% dose-dependently inhibit tumor induction in an I/P mouse model of skin tumors.

Original publication

DOI

10.1111/j.1346-8138.2010.01046.x

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Dermatol

Publication Date

06/2011

Volume

38

Pages

562 - 570

Keywords

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene, Animals, Carcinogenicity Tests, Female, Immunosuppressive Agents, Mice, Mice, Inbred ICR, Ointments, Skin, Skin Neoplasms, Tacrolimus