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Updated: Jun 8, 2026

The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis
11:39

The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis

Published on: July 11, 2013

Comparing biological therapies in psoriasis: implications for clinical practice

C E M Griffiths1

  • 1Dermatological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK. christopher.griffiths@manchester.ac.uk

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV
|September 14, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Ustekinumab demonstrated superior clinical improvement for plaque psoriasis compared to etanercept in a head-to-head trial. This finding supports earlier and continuous systemic biologic therapy for managing moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Severe plaque psoriasis treatment is often limited by traditional systemic therapy efficacy and safety.
  • Biological therapies targeting psoriasis pathophysiology offer a new paradigm for earlier, continuous systemic treatment.
  • Comparative trials for systemic psoriasis treatments are scarce.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficacy of ustekinumab and etanercept in treating plaque psoriasis.
  • To establish ustekinumab as a superior biologic agent for plaque psoriasis management.

Main Methods:

  • The Active Comparator (CNTO 1275/Enbrel) Psoriasis Trial (ACCEPT) was a head-to-head superiority study.
  • Ustekinumab and etanercept were administered to patients with plaque psoriasis over a 12-week period.
  • Clinical improvement was assessed to compare treatment outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Ustekinumab achieved significantly superior clinical improvement compared to etanercept 50 mg twice weekly.
  • The observed response levels align with previous individual drug data.
  • The study provides robust comparative data on biologic agents for psoriasis.

Conclusions:

  • Ustekinumab offers a more effective treatment option for plaque psoriasis than etanercept.
  • Findings support the paradigm of earlier and continuous systemic biologic therapy in psoriasis management.
  • This study has significant implications for clinical practice in treating plaque psoriasis.

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