Safety and Efficacy of TACLONEX Ointment in Adolescent Patients (Aged 12 to 17 Years) With Psoriasis Vulgaris

• Adverse Drug Reactions [ Time Frame: Week 4 ]
  The number of participants experiencing each type of adverse drug reaction. Adverse drug reactions were defined as adverse events for which the investigator had not described the causal relationship to trial medication as "not related".
  
  
• Serum Cortisol Concentration of ≤18 mcg/dL at 30 Minutes After ACTH-challenge at End of Treatment [ Time Frame: Week 4 ]
  The ACTH(Adrenocorticotropic hormone)-challenge test involves injecting a synthetic subunit of ACTH into the patient,and measuring the cortisol produced by the adrenal glands 30 and 60 minutes after the injection.
  
  
• Serum Cortisol Concentration of ≤18 mcg/dL at 30 and 60 Minutes After ACTH-challenge at End of Treatment [ Time Frame: Week 4 ]
  The ACTH(Adrenocorticotropic hormone)-challenge test involves injecting a synthetic subunit of ACTH into the patient,and measuring the cortisol produced by the adrenal glands 30 and 60 minutes after the injection.
  
  
• Change in Albumin Corrected Serum Calcium From Baseline to End of Treatment [ Time Frame: Baseline and 4 weeks ]
  
• Change in Urinary Calcium:Creatinine Ratio From Baseline to End of Treatment. [ Time Frame: Baseline and 4 Weeks ]
  

• "Controlled Disease"(i.e., "Clear" or "Almost Clear") According to the Investigator's Global Assessment of Disease Severity at Week 4. [ Time Frame: Week 4 ]
  The investigator made an assessment of the disease severity (Plaque thickening, Scaling and Erythema) using a 6-point scale (Clear, Almost clear, Mild, Moderate, Severe, and Very severe). This assessment represented the average lesion severity on the trunk and limbs.
  
  
• "Controlled Disease"(i.e., "Clear" or "Very Mild") According to the Patient's Global Assessment of Disease Severity at Week 4. [ Time Frame: Week 4 ]
  The patient made an assessment of the disease severity using a 5-point scale (Clear, Very Mild, Mild, Moderate, and Severe).
  
  
• Percentage Change in PASI From Baseline to Week 4. [ Time Frame: Baseline and 4 weeks ]
  PASI is Psoriasis Area and Severity Index and is based on the investigator's assessment of extent and severity of the disease. It can range from 0 (best) to 64.8(worst). The PASI used in this trial is modified to exclude assessment of the head, as trial treatment is not used here.
  
  
• PASI 75 at Week 4. [ Time Frame: 4 weeks ]
  PASI 75 is at least 75% reduction in PASI from baseline. PASI is Psoriasis Area and Severity Index and is based on the investigator's assessment of extent and severity of the disease. It can range from 0 (best) to 64.8(worst). The PASI used in this trial is modified to exclude assessment of the head, as trial treatment is not used here.
  
  
• PASI 50 at Week 4. [ Time Frame: Week 4 ]
  PASI 50 is at least 50% reduction in PASI from baseline. PASI is Psoriasis Area and Severity Index and is based on the investigator'sassessment of extent and severity of the disease. It can range from 0 (best) to 64.8(worst). The PASI used in this trial is modified to exclude assessment of the head, as trial treatment is not used here.
  
  

TACLONEX ointment has marketing approval in many countries for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris in adults. No studies have been conducted in patients less than 18 years of age. However, about 25% of affected individuals are diagnosed between 10 and 19 years of age, hence psoriasis is also prevalent in the adolescent age group (12-17 years).

All patients will receive TACLONEX. To evaluate the safety of TACLONEX ointment, all adverse events will be recorded. In addition, any systemic absorption of the active components, betamethasone dipropionate and calcipotriene, will be evaluated by assessing adrenal function (using CORTROSYN™ test) and calcium metabolism (by measuring serum calcium and the urinary calcium:creatinine ratio), respectively.