Leflunomide in subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus - two sides of a coin.

Background: Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE), a distinct clinical subset of lupus erythematosus, remains a therapeutic challenge, especially in cases resistant to topical and standard systemic therapy. Leflunomide, a novel antirheumatic drug, has shown efficacy in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus in pilot studies.

Methods: We report two patients with SCLE who demonstrated the spectrum of possible clinical responses to leflunomide therapy.