A randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, bilateral comparison trial of bexarotene gel 1% versus vehicle gel in combination with narrowband UVB phototherapy for moderate to severe psoriasis vulgaris

We report results of a randomized, vehicle-controlled, bilateral comparison pilot study of bexarotene gel 1% with narrowband UVB (NBUVB) phototherapy for moderate to severe psoriasis. In all, 9 patients applied drug or vehicle gel to comparable target lesions up to twice daily for 10 weeks. NBUVB was initiated 2 weeks after topical therapy began. Limitations include small sample size and interim analysis. Based on analysis of target lesion scores, bexarotene gel 1%/NBUVB was significantly more effective than placebo/NBUVB.