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Apremilast: A Review in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
1Springer, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, 0754, New Zealand. demail@springer.com.
Drugs
|February 19, 2017
Summary
Apremilast (Otezla) effectively treats moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. This oral PDE4 inhibitor shows rapid and sustained symptom improvement with good tolerability, requiring no lab monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Rheumatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are chronic inflammatory conditions impacting quality of life.
- Current treatments have limitations, necessitating novel therapeutic options.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of apremilast (Otezla) in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
- To assess apremilast's effectiveness in active psoriatic arthritis, including specific disease manifestations.
Main Methods:
- Phase 3 clinical trials (ESTEEM, PALACE, ACTIVE) involving patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
- Oral administration of apremilast 30 mg twice daily compared to placebo.
- Assessment of clinical signs, symptoms, patient-reported outcomes, and safety profiles.
Main Results:
- Apremilast significantly reduced psoriasis severity, including nail, scalp, and palmoplantar involvement.
- Improvements were observed in psoriatic arthritis symptoms like enthesitis, dactylitis, physical function, and fatigue.
- Early onset of efficacy was noted, with sustained benefits up to 208 weeks and a favorable safety profile without laboratory monitoring.
Conclusions:
- Oral apremilast is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
- Apremilast demonstrates efficacy in active psoriatic arthritis, offering sustained improvement and convenience.
- Apremilast presents a valuable therapeutic option for both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
