Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026
The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis
Published on: July 11, 2013
Extended efalizumab therapy improves chronic plaque psoriasis: results from a randomized phase III trial
Craig L Leonardi1, Kim A Papp, Kenneth B Gordon
1Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA. leonardi@centralderm.com
Background:
Efalizumab inhibits multiple T-cell-mediated processes.
Objective:
To evaluate 12- and 24-week efalizumab therapy for psoriasis.
Methods:
In this phase III, randomized, double-blind trial, 498 patients received subcutaneous 1 or 2 mg/kg/wk efalizumab or placebo for 12 weeks. Efalizumab-treated patients who achieved <75% Psoriasis Area and Severity Index improvement (PASI-75) were re-randomized to a second 12-week course of treatment. Results At week 12, 39% and 27% of efalizumab-treated patients (1 and 2 mg/kg, respectively) achieved PASI-75 (vs 2% placebo; P < .001, both dose groups). At week 24, an additional 20% of efalizumab-treated patients achieved PASI-75 (vs placebo 7%, P = .018). Efalizumab was well tolerated.
Conclusion:
Twelve-week efalizumab treatment resulted in significant improvement; extension of therapy to 24 weeks resulted in additional improvement in patients who initially had not achieved PASI-75. There were no significant changes in safety profile during weeks 13-24.