Beneficial effects of fumarate therapy in psoriasis vulgaris patients coincide with downregulation of type 1 cytokines.

Background: Fumarates have been shown to be effective in psoriasis vulgaris.

Objectives: To find out whether successful therapy is associated with modulation of cytokines.

Methods: We determined interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 secretion capacities of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) after phytohaemagglutinin stimulation, and IL-12p70 and IL-10 secretion capacities of PBMC after endotoxin stimulation in psoriasis vulgaris patients during treatment with fumarates.