Primary Localized Cutaneous Amyloidosis: A Systematic Treatment Review

Abstract

Background: Primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis (PLCA) is characterized by extracellular deposition of heterogenic amyloid proteins in the skin without systemic involvement. Lichen amyloidosis, macular amyloidosis, and (primary localized cutaneous) nodular amyloidosis are different subtypes of PLCA.

Objective: The aim of this study was to review the current reported treatment options for PLCA.

Methods: This systematic review was based on a search in the PubMed database for English and German articles from 1985 to 2016.

Results: Reports on the treatment of PLCA were limited predominantly to case reports or small case series. There were a few clinical trials but these lacked control groups. A variety of treatment options for PLCA were reported including retinoids, corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, amitriptyline, colchicine, cepharanthin, tacrolimus, dimethyl sulfoxide, vitamin D₃ analogs, capsaicin, menthol, hydrocolloid dressings, surgical modalities, laser treatment, and phototherapy.

Conclusion: No definitive recommendation of preferable treatment procedures can be made based on the analyzed literature. Randomized controlled trials are needed to offer patients an evidence-based therapy with high-quality standardized treatment regimens for PLCA.

Keywords: Amyloidosis; Capsaicin; Etretinate; Menthol; Tazarotene.