Kahalalide Compositions for the Treatment of Psoriasis

Abstract

Kahalalide compounds, in particular kahalalide F, are of use in a method to treat a mammal suffering from skin disease such as psoriasis while avoiding toxicity and leading to clinical improvement.

1 . A method for treating psoriasis in a mammal comprising topically administering to the mammal an effective non-toxic amount of a kahalalide compound.  
     
     
         2 . A composition comprising a kahalalide compound and a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier, wherein the composition further comprises one or more anti-psoriasis agents.  
     
     
         3 . A composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the one or more anti-psoriasis agents are selected from the group consisting of emollients, keratolytic agents, coal tar, anthralin, corticosteroids, and calpotriene.  
     
     
         4 . A composition according to  claim 2 , further comprising a photosensitizing agent.  
     
     
         5 . A composition according to  claim 4 , wherein the photosensitizing agent is selected from the group consisting of methoxsalen, methotrexate, etretinate, a corticosteroid, and cyclosporine.  
     
     
         6 . A composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the kahalalide compound is kahalalide F, a 4-methylhexyl analogue of kahalalide F, or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         7 . A composition according to  claim 6 , wherein the kahalalide compound is kahalalide F.  
     
     
         8 . A composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the composition is a topical composition.  
     
     
         9 . A composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the composition is an intradermal composition.  
     
     
         10 . A composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the composition is an intravenous composition.