Contact dermatitis from topical auranofin

Auranofin is an organogold complex composed of gold, thiosugar, and triethylphosphine that has been successfully used parenterally in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. More recently, a crude 0.18% auranofin ointment was used to treat psoriasis, resulting in clearing of lesions in some patients. 1 To confirm and extend these preliminary findings, a multicenter investigation was conducted in patients with mild to moderate-plaque psoriasis. During this investigation, in 17 of 76 subjects treated with auranofin ointment, contact dermatitis developed at the treatment site (Fig. 1).