Report of the Topical Calcineurin Inhibitor Task Force of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease that causes significant suffering and has limited treatment options. It is often the first step in the atopic march and might contribute to the severitypersistence of asthma. On February 15, 2005, the Pediatric Advisory Committee of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended ‘‘black box’’ warnings for pimecrolimus (Elidel; Novartis, Basel, Switzerland) and tacrolimus (Protopic; Astellas Pharma, Tokyo, Japan) because of a potential risk of cancer. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and