Pimecrolimus

Pimecrolimus caused a strong and dose-dependent inhibition of anti-IgE–induced release of histamine from mast cells and basophils (maximally 73% and 82%, respectively, at 500 nmol/L pimecrolimus) and of mast cell tryptase (maximally 75%) and a less pronounced inhibition of LTC4 (maximally 32%) and of calcium ionophore plus phorbol myristate acetate–induced mast cell TNF-α release (90% maximum at 100 nmol/L pimecrolimus). ^[1]
In the pig model, topical SDZ ASM 981 was as effective as the ultrapotent corticosteroid clobetasol-17-propionate, and when compared with a series of commercial topical corticosteroid preparations, 0.1% SDZ ASM 981 had equivalent efficacy to clobetasol-17-propionate (0.05%), the most potent product on the market. Unlike the corticosteroid, however, SDZ ASM 981 did not cause skin atrophy in pigs. ^[2]
SDZ ASM 981 inhibits the proliferation of human T cells after antigen-specific or non-specific stimulation. It downregulates the production of Th1 [interleukin (IL)-2, interferon-γ] and Th2 (IL-4, IL-10) type cytokines after antigen-specific stimulation of a human T-helper cell clone isolated from the skin of an atopic dermatitis patient. SDZ ASM 981 inhibits the phorbol myristate acetate/phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated transcription of a reporter gene coupled to the human IL-2 promoter in the human T-cell line Jurkat and the IgE/antigen-mediated transcription of a reporter gene coupled to the human tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α promoter in the murine mast-cell line CPII. ^[3]