Multi-Organ Sarcoidosis Treatment with Fumaric Acid Esters: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a rare, systemic disease that is characterized by the formation of granulomas in various organs, including the skin. As the etiology remains unknown, the treatment of sarcoidosis is challenging. We present a 47-year-old female patient with progressive, multi-organ sarcoidosis who had a complete clinical improvement of the skin lesions, a moderate reduction in pulmonary opacities on chest X-ray, a marked subjective improvement in general status and pulmonary efficiency and a marked reduction in serum angiotensin-converting enzyme and soluble interleukin-2 receptor after 6 months of therapy with fumaric acid esters. The present case and similar reports in the literature highlight the probable efficacy of fumaric acid esters in the treatment of sarcoidosis and other non-infectious, granulomatous diseases.

Oral Fumaderm® to treat cutaneous sarcoidosis

“…Funding for biologic intervention (anti‐tumour necrosis factor) was denied. On review of the literature, a handful of cases supporting the use of FAEs in cutaneous sarcoid were identified. On this basis, A drug consisting of a combination of FAEs (Fumaderm ® ; Biogen Idec GmbH, Ismaning, Germany) was prescribed.…”

“…Although the full mechanism of action of FAEs is poorly understood, evidence to support their experimental use in other dermatological conditions alongside psoriasis, is growing. Their successful use in noninfectious granulomatous disease such as granuloma annulare, necrobiosis lipoidica and cutaneous sarcoidosis has been increasingly reported …”