Bimekizumab in psoriasis: a monocentric study evaluating short- and mid-term effectiveness and safety profile in a real-world setting.

INTRODUCTION: Bimekizumab is a humanized monoclonal IgG1 antibody with a unique mechanism of action, as it inhibits both IL17A and IL17F molecules. This dual inhibition is thought to be responsible for its high efficacy in treating chronic plaque psoriasis with rapid onset of action in Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). Concerning safety, oral candidiasis was one of the most common drug-related adverse events, commonly mild-to-moderate in severity. Although data from RCTs supporting this efficacy and safety profile of bimekizumab is numerous, results from the real-world setting concerning short- and mid-term treatment effectiveness and safety profile are limited. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational, retrospective, monocentric study was conducted at the Psoriasis Outpatient Unit of "A. Sygros" Hospital for Skin and Venereal Diseases, in Athens, Greece, which included 61 adult patients with moderate-to-severe skin psoriasis, who received at least one dosage of bimekizumab. RESULTS: At week 4, 65.7% achieved PASI75, 45.7% PASI90, and 32.4% PASI100. After 16 weeks of treatment, 92.3/76.9/66.7% of the patients achieved PASI75/90/100, respectively. Increased BMI, previous treatment with another IL-17 inhibitor, or previous exposure to another biologic did not seem to influence the possibility of achieving PASI90 and PASI100 at week 16 of bimekizumab treatment in this cohort. Six (9.8%) cases of possibly drug-related AEs were reported, from which four incidences of oral candidiasis. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that this IL17A/F inhibitor is highly effective, with a tolerability profile similar to the one expected from RCTs.

Treatment of Psoriasis Patients with Latent Tuberculosis Using IL-17 and IL-23 Inhibitors: A Retrospective, Multinational, Multicentre Study.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis has a major global impact. Immunocompetent hosts usually control this disease, resulting in an asymptomatic latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Because TNF inhibitors increase the risk of tuberculosis reactivation, current guidelines recommend tuberculosis screening before starting any biologic drug, and chemoprophylaxis if LTBI is diagnosed. Available evidence from clinical trials and real-world studies suggests that IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors do not increase the risk of tuberculosis reactivation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate psoriasis patients with treated or untreated newly diagnosed LTBI who received IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors and the tolerability/safety of tuberculosis chemoprophylaxis. METHODS: This is a retrospective, observational, multinational study from a series of 14 dermatology centres based in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece and Brazil, which included adult patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis and newly diagnosed LTBI who were treated with IL-23 or IL-17 inhibitors between January 2015 and March 2022. LTBI was diagnosed in the case of tuberculin skin test and/or interferon gamma release assay positivity, according to local guideline, prior to initiating IL-23 or IL-17 inhibitor. Patients with prior diagnosis of LTBI (treated or untreated) or treated active infection were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 405 patients were included; complete/incomplete/no chemoprophylaxis was administered in 62.2, 10.1 and 27.7% of patients, respectively. The main reason for not receiving or interrupting chemoprophylaxis was perceived heightened risk of liver toxicity and hepatotoxicity, respectively. The mean duration of biological treatment was 32.87 ± 20.95 months, and only one case of active tuberculosis infection (ATBI) was observed, after 14 months of treatment with ixekizumab. The proportion of ATBI associated with ixekizumab was 1.64% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0-5.43%] and 0% for all other agents and 0.46% (95% CI 0-1.06%) and 0% for IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors, respectively (not statistically significant). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of tuberculosis reactivation in patients with psoriasis and LTBI does not seem to increase with IL-17 or IL-23 inhibitors. IL-17 or IL-23 inhibitors should be preferred over TNF antagonists when concerns regarding tuberculosis reactivation exists. In patients with LTBI considered at high risk for developing complications related to chemoprophylaxis, this preventive strategy may be waived before initiating treatment with IL-17 inhibitors and especially IL-23 inhibitors.

The Impact of Treatment with IL-17/IL-23 Inhibitors on Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Patients with Plaque Psoriasis and/or Psoriatic Arthritis: A Systematic Review.

Accumulating evidence considers psoriasis a systemic inflammatory disorder that is associated with comorbidities such as psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. Although the precise pathogenetic links between psoriasis and atherosclerosis warrants further investigation, it is believed that chronic systemic inflammation along with the T helper (Th)-1 and Th17 polarization are associated with endothelial dysfunction and subsequent acceleration of atherosclerosis. Considering the above, several studies have evaluated if optimal control of the inflammation in psoriasis by inhibiting interleukins targeting the Interleukin (IL)-23/Th17 axis could subsequently reduce the atherosclerotic process during anti-psoriatic treatment by using a variety of surrogate markers of subclinical atherosclerosis. This systematic review summarizes current knowledge on the pathogenetic mechanisms and diagnostic evaluation of atherosclerosis in the context of psoriasis and provides a systematic review of the literature on the impact of treatment with biologics targeting the IL-23/Th17 axis on subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with plaque psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis.

Brodalumab in plaque psoriasis: Real-world data on effectiveness, safety and clinical predictive factors of initial response and drug survival over a period of 104 weeks.

BACKGROUND: Brodalumab, a fully human IgG2k antibody blocking the receptor of IL17, is characterized by a rapid onset of action with high skin clearance rates in clinical trials. Since setting PASI90/100 or absolute PASI ≤ 3 as treatment goals have become attainable, evaluating the effectiveness and safety profile of biologic agents, such as brodalumab, in a real-world setting is essential. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety profile of brodalumab over a period of 104 weeks in everyday practice. Clinical predictive factors of initial (week 12/16) response to treatment and long-term drug survival were also investigated. METHODS: In this monocentric, retrospective study, PASI90/100 and absolute PASI ≤ 1/3 were assessed in 91 patients with moderate-to-severe skin psoriasis under brodalumab at weeks 12/16, 24, 52 and 104 of treatment. At week 12/16, patients with an absolute PASI ≤ 3 were defined as 'initial responders' and ≤1 as 'super-responders'. Clinical parameters, such as age, gender, BMI, comorbidities and previous systemic treatment, were assessed in order to predict 'super-responders'. Drug survival and its prognostic factors were also evaluated. RESULTS: PASI90/100 has reached 81.1/66.0% in week 12/16. This response rate increased at week 104, where 87.1/80.7% had PASI90/100 and 84.9% had absolute PASI ≤ 1. The presence of >3 comorbidities, prior treatment with >2 systemic agents and obesity tended to be negative predictive factors of 'super-response'. Previous exposure to IL17 inhibitors had no impact on both PASI < 1 and PASI < 3 initial response. One- and two-year drug survival probability was 87.6% and 77.32%, respectively. 'Initial responders' and anti-IL17 drug-naïve patients had better drug survival. Drug discontinuation occurred in 24.2%, mostly due to secondary failure, and arthralgia was the most common adverse event that led to discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms the high effectiveness and good safety profile of brodalumab in the real-world setting.

Drug Survival of Interleukin (IL)­17 and IL­23 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Psoriasis: A Retrospective Multi­country, Multicentric Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Drug survival, defined as the length of time from initiation to discontinuation of a given therapy, allows comparisons between drugs, helps to predict patient's likelihood of remaining on a specific treatment, and achieving the best decision for each patient in daily clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to provide data on drug survival of secukinumab, ixekizumab, brodalumab, guselkumab, tildrakizumab, and risankizumab in a large international cohort, and to identify clinical predictors that might have an impact on the drug survival of these drugs. METHODS: This was a retrospective, multicentric, multi-country study that provides data of adult patients with moderate to severe psoriasis who started treatment with an interleukin (IL)-17 or IL-23 inhibitor between 1 February 2015 and 31 October 2021. Data were collected from 19 distinct hospital and non-hospital-based dermatology centers from Canada, Czech Republic, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland. Kaplan-Meier estimator and proportional hazard Cox regression models were used for drug survival analysis. RESULTS: A total of 4866 treatment courses (4178 patients)-overall time of exposure of 9500 patient-years-were included in this study, with 3164 corresponding to an IL-17 inhibitor (secukinumab, ixekizumab, brodalumab) and 1702 corresponding to an IL-23 inhibitor (guselkumab, risankizumab, tildrakizumab). IL-23 inhibitors had the highest drug survival rates during the entire study period. After 24 months of treatment, the cumulative probabilities of drug survival were 0.92 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.89-0.95) for risankizumab, 0.90 (95% CI 0.88-0.92) for guselkumab, 0.80 (95% CI 0.76-0.84) for brodalumab, 0.79 (95% CI 0.76-0.82) for ixekizumab, and 0.75 (95% CI 0.73-0.77) for secukinumab. At 36 months, only guselkumab [0.88 (95% CI 0.85-0.91)], ixekizumab [0.73 (95% CI 0.70-0.76)], and secukinumab [0.67 (95% CI 0.65-0.70)] had more than 40 patients at risk of drug discontinuation. Only two drugs had more than 40 patients at risk of drug discontinuation at 48 months, with ixekizumab demonstrating to have a higher cumulative probability of drug survival [0.71 (95% CI 0.68-0.75)] when compared with secukinumab [0.63 (95% CI 0.60-0.66)]. Secondary failure was the main cause for drug discontinuation. According to the final multivariable model, patients receiving risankizumab, guselkumab, and ixekizumab were significantly less likely to discontinue treatment than those receiving secukinumab. Previous exposure to biologic agents, absent family history of psoriasis, higher baseline body mass index (BMI), and higher baseline Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) were identified as predictors of drug discontinuation. CONCLUSION: The cumulative probability of drug survival of both IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors was higher than 75% at 24 months, with risankizumab and guselkumab demonstrating to have overall cumulative probabilities ≥ 90%. Biological agent chosen, prior exposure to biologic agents, higher baseline BMI and PASI values, and absence of family history of psoriasis were identified as predictors for drug discontinuation. Risankizumab, guselkumab, and ixekizumab were less likely to be discontinued than secukinumab.

Patient characteristics, treatment patterns and disease outcomes in patients with psoriatic arthritis followed in a combined Dermatology-Rheumatology clinic: a retrospective real-world study.

The aim of this study was to assess the patient characteristics, treatment patterns and disease outcomes in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) referred to a combined Dermatology-Rheumatology (Derm-Rheum) Clinic. This was a retrospective study of patients seen in a combined Derm-Rheum Clinic (February 2018 to June 2020) in a Tertiary University Hospital. Consecutive patients with suspicious musculoskeletal symptoms or a known diagnosis of PsA referred to the Derm-Rheum Clinic were examined and followed simultaneously by experienced dermatologists and rheumatologists. Among 151 patients with psoriasis (PSO) with suspicious musculoskeletal complaints, 129 (85%) with a final diagnosis of PsA were included (56% females, mean age: 55 years, median disease duration: 14.2 years). In 62% of these patients (n = 94), PsA was diagnosed for the 1st time. At initial evaluation, 95% had peripheral arthritis, 45% nail involvement, 23% axial involvement, 12% enthesitis and 6% dactylitis with a median DAPSA and PASI scores of 20.5 and 1.6, respectively. 31% of the patients were not receiving any systemic treatment, 45% were on biologics, 29% on non-biologics and 10% on targeted synthetic agents (apremilast). At last visit (median interval time: 15 months), only 8% did not receive any systemic therapy (p < 0.001 compared to 1st visit), 62% were on biologics (p = 0.009 compared to 1st visit), 46% on non-biologics (p = 0.01 compared to 1st visit) and 10% remained on apremilast. The median DAPSA and PASI scores decreased significantly to 5.3 and 0, respectively. In conclusion, about 2/3 of patients with PSO and musculoskeletal complaints referred to a combined Derm-Rheum Clinic were diagnosed for the 1st time with PsA. During follow-up, the percentage of PsA patients on systemic therapies significantly increased with major improvement of disease activity indices. These data emphasize the value of combined Derm-Rheum Clinics for earlier referral, diagnosis, and more effective treatment of PsA patients.

Case Report: Malignant melanoma in a patient with Crohn's disease treated with ustekinumab.

The cornerstone of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment is immunomodulators. IBD patients are at increased risk of intestinal and extraintestinal malignancy. Ustekinumab is a fully humanized monoclonal anti-IL12/23 antibody with a good safety profile. Malignancies of breast, colon, head and neck, kidney, prostate, thyroid, and non-melanoma skin cancer have been reported among patients who received ustekinumab. We report the case of a 42-year-old Crohn's patient on long-term treatment with ustekinumab, who developed achromatic malignant melanoma. Crohn's was diagnosed at the age of 15, with upper and lower gastrointestinal involvement and was initially treated with azathioprine (2mg/kg for 4 years) and infliximab (5mg/kg for 6 weeks). Due to ileal obstruction, the patient underwent stricturoplasty and received adalimumab (40mg every other week) for two years. He then discontinued therapy and a year later underwent right hemicolectomy. Adalimumab was reinstituted (40mg every other week) and the patient remained in clinical remission for two years. His overall exposure to adalimumab was four years. Ustekinumab was initiated due to a relapse and after 3 years, an incident of scalp itching led to the diagnosis metastatic achromatic malignant melanoma bearing BRAF V600E mutation. He received targeted therapy with an initial good response. We aim to point out the risk of dermatologic malignancy in IBD patients on long-term immunosuppression and the lifelong and meticulous evaluation that is required.

HLA-C*06:02 Does Not Predispose to Clinical Response Following Long-Term Adalimumab Treatment in Psoriatic Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The genetic basis of predisposition to psoriasis is recognised; however, the response to psoriasis treatment in patients with different genetic predisposition is poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the presence of the HLA-C*06:02 polymorphism in psoriatic patients treated with adalimumab. METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood of 122 patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis treated with adalimumab for 3 years. Genotyping was performed using PCR. Disease severity was assessed by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) at day 0 and after 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between dependent variables (including HLA-C*06:02 status) and achievement of PASI 50, 75 and 90. RESULTS: No difference was observed after adalimumab treatment between C*06:02 positive (HLA-C*06:02-POS) patients (n = 46) and C*06:02 negative (HLA-C*06:02-NEG) patients (n = 76) over the 3-year follow-up period in terms of PASI response or time-course when PASI response was achieved. However, a small, but non-statistically significant difference was noted between genotypes for PASI 50 at 1 month (HLA-C*06:02-NEG: 44.7% vs. HLA-C*06:02-POS: 56.5%) and at 3 months (HLA-C*06:02-NEG: 71.1% vs. HLA-C*06:02-POS: 80.4%). Simple logistic regression analysis did not reveal an association between independent variables (including C*06:02 status) and PASI response; however, multivariate regression revealed that gender (females better than males) was associated with achievement of PASI 50 at month 1 (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.16-0.72, p = 0.005) and of PASI 75 at 3 months (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.16-0.8, p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Adalimumab reduced long-term severity in patients with moderate-severe psoriasis, independent of their HLA-C*06:02 status.

Infliximab in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the skin and joints. Although rarely life threatening, psoriasis can significantly impair quality of life (QOL) and cause considerable physical and psychological distress. Between 6 and 42% of patients with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis, which is characterized by stiffness, pain, swelling and tenderness of the joints. Nail psoriasis is highly prevalent in both plaque-type psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and is found in approximately 50% of patients with psoriasis and in 80% of patients with psoriatic arthritis. Infliximab, a chimeric human-murine monoclonal antibody directed against tumour necrosis factor α, is approved in the USA and EU for the treatment of plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis at a recommended dosage of 5 mg/kg administered by intravenous infusion at 0,2 and 6 weeks, then every 8 weeks thereafter. The EXPRESS and EXPRESS II trials demonstrated that infliximab is efficacious as induction and maintenance therapy in the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and also improved health-related QOL. Infliximab is also efficacious in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis, as shown in the IMPACT and IMPACT II studies. Infliximab is generally well tolerated, with a similar adverse event profile in both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The use of infliximab in three case reports is presented. The patients are similar to those normally seen by clinicians, and include a male patient with plaque psoriasis and a history of severe psoriatic arthritis who was corticosteroid dependent and in whom other systemic treatments were not effective or were not able to be used. This patient showed a rapid response to infliximab with no skin lesions or arthritis after 7 weeks' treatment. Infliximab was also safe and effective in the treatment of a female patient with plaque and nail psoriasis and a history of psoriatic arthritis. Importantly, this case report supports the efficacy of infliximab in psoriatic nail disease in the context of severe skin and joint involvement. Case 3 describes a young male patient with moderate plaque-type psoriasis associated with severe nail involvement and early signs of psoriatic arthritis. Treatment with infliximab improved nail psoriasis and appears to be an effective biological treatment for nail psoriasis. Importantly, ultrasound was able to diagnose joint involvement, as seen from the proliferative synovitis in the distal interphalangeal joint and mild enthesitis, despite there being no clinical evidence of psoriatic arthritis. This case report highlights the importance of early screening. If such abnormalities are detected early on in the course of psoriasis, clinicians may be able to predict which patients are more likely to develop psoriatic arthritis, and therefore offer effective and long-term treatment that may reduce the disability and impairment of daily activities that can be associated with psoriatic arthritis.

Treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Skin and joint manifestations associated with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can significantly impact a patient's quality of life. Successful treatment is imperative in order to improve signs and symptoms of the disease, and to alleviate physical or psychological distress. For patients with mild psoriasis with or without PsA, topical agents and targeted phototherapy are appropriate treatments for psoriasis. Systemic therapies, such as methotrexate and phototherapy are recommended options for patients with more severe psoriasis, but their long-term use is hindered by safety concerns. Advancements in understanding the pathogenesis of psoriasis, including the role of T cells and cytokines, have been crucial to the development of biological therapies. These target the immune system and are suitable options for patients with extensive disease. Biological therapies for the treatment of psoriasis include targeted therapies (alefacept) and anti-cytokine therapies (anti-tumour necrosis factor [TNF] therapies [adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab] and a monoclonal antibody against interleukin [IL]-12 and IL-23 [ustekinumab]). Patients with PsA should be treated appropriately in order to improve symptoms and inhibit structural joint damage. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or local intra-articular injections of corticosteroids can be used successfully in patients with mild PsA; however, neither treatment prevents the development of structural joint damage. For patients with moderate to severely active PsA, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (such as methotrexate), TNF inhibitor treatments (adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab and golimumab) or their combination are considered first-line treatment. This review provides a brief overview of treatment options for psoriasis and PsA, with an emphasis on the efficacy and safety of anti-TNF therapies.

Efficacy of short-term cyclosporine treatment to control psoriasis-related events during efalizumab therapy.

Efalizumab is a recombinant humanized anti-CD11a monoclonal antibody that blocks the activation, adhesion and trafficking of T cells and has been approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. To document management of the fluctuations in symptom control that patients with psoriasis sometimes experience during treatment, we performed a retrospective analysis of our experience using cyclosporine as an intercurrent treatment to control psoriasis-related adverse events (AEs) in 10 patients who had received continuous efalizumab therapy for 20-200 weeks prior to recurrence of symptoms. Combination therapy with cyclosporine and efalizumab was generally well tolerated and controlled the relapse effectively. There were no reports of severe AEs during combination treatment, and no clinically significant changes were noted in clinical and laboratory values. Although mild, localized psoriasis recurred in most of these patients after cyclosporine termination, no patient experienced rebound or psoriasis flare and all continued with long-term efalizumab treatment.

IKKalpha is a p63 transcriptional target involved in the pathogenesis of ectodermal dysplasias.

The transcription factor p63 plays a pivotal role in the development and differentiation of the epidermis and epithelial appendages. Indeed, mutations in p63 are associated with a group of ectodermal dysplasias characterized by skin, limb, and craniofacial defects. It was hypothesized that p63 exerts its functions by activating specific genes during epidermal development, which in turn regulate epidermal stratification and differentiation. We have identified I-kappaB kinase alpha (IKKalpha) as a direct transcriptional target of p63 that is induced at early phases of terminal differentiation of primary keratinocytes. We show that the DeltaNp63 isoform is required for IKKalpha expression in differentiating keratinocytes and that mutant p63 proteins expressed in ectodermal dysplasia patients exhibit defects in inducing IKKalpha. Furthermore, we observed reduced IKKalpha expression in the epidermis of an ankyloblepharon ectodermal dysplasia clefting patient. Our data demonstrate that a failure to properly express IKKalpha may play a role in the development of ectodermal dysplasias.

Emerging treatments in the management of psoriasis: biological targeting with ustekinumab.

Psoriasis is a chronic, genetically determined, immune-mediated, inflammatory skin disease affecting approximately 2% to 3% of Caucasian population. Given the well-established role of the immuno-mediated inflammation in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, in the past few years several key steps in the pathogenesis of this disease have been elucidated and the increased knowledge led to the development of specific drugs, commonly defined as "biologics" targeting one or more of these steps. At present an anti-CD11a antibody (efalizumab), an anti-LFA3/CD2 receptor (alefacept) and 3 antitumor necrosis factor alpha agents (adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab) are now commercially available for the treatment of both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Recent studies have demonstrated that interleukins (IL) 12 and 23 play an important role in the pathophysiology of psoriasis. In fact members of the IL-12 family of cytokines have the potential to act as the next major cytokine(s) in pathogenesis and the treatment of psoriasis. Ustekinumab (CNTO 1275, Centocor Inc, Malvern, PA, USA) is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to the shared p40 protein subunit of human interleukins 12 and 23 with high affinity and specificity, thereby preventing interaction with their surface IL-12Rß1 receptor. Different clinical studies have been conducted to date. In particular a phase II study and two phase III studies, PHOENIX 1 together with PHOENIX 2, show very encouraging results. This review reports on the latest progress made in the clinical use of biologic drugs for psoriasis focusing on the new human IL-12/23 monoclonal antibody, ustekinumab, for psoriasis.

The tumor suppressor activity of IKKalpha in stratified epithelia is exerted in part via the TGF-beta antiproliferative pathway.

The transforming growth factor type beta-1 (TGF-beta) signaling pathway is a major tumor suppressor during early carcinogenesis, and its growth-suppressive activity is commonly lost during early tumor progression. IkappaB kinase alpha (IKKalpha) also acts as a tumor suppressor in stratified epithelia, and its expression and nuclear localization are progressively down-regulated during malignant progression of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and acquisition of an invasive phenotype. A critical role for IKKalpha in TGF-beta signaling in stratified epithelia was identified recently during normal keratinocyte differentiation, and both IKKalpha and components of the TGF-beta signaling pathway are required for induction of antiproliferative Myc antagonists in such cells. We now describe that the interaction between IKKalpha and the TGF-beta signaling pathway is also important in a subset of SCCs. In SCCs that are unable to shuttle IKKalpha to the nucleus, defective TGF-beta-induced growth arrest was rescued by introduction of a constitutively nuclear IKKalpha variant. These results suggest that the tumor-suppressive activity of IKKalpha in stratified epithelia may be exerted in part via the TGF-beta signaling pathway.

Long-term efficacy of adalimumab in generalized pustular psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare form of psoriasis that may either be preceded by plaque psoriasis or arise de novo, classically after withdrawal of systemic glucocorticosteroids. Adalimumab is a fully human, anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody that specifically blocks the interaction of TNF-alpha with the p55 and the p75 TNF-alpha cell surface receptors. AIM: To demonstrate the efficacy and tolerability of adalimumab in the treatment of GPP. CASE REPORT: A 50-year-old woman had suffered from severe pustular psoriasis for 10 years and psoriatic arthritis for 8 years and received treatment with adalimumab, in monotherapy, 40 mg subcutaneously once a week for 72 weeks. DLQI, PDI and SKINDEX 29 score were used to assess patient compliance and satisfaction. RESULTS: In our case, control of disease manifestations was rapid and clinical remission persisted during the treatment course until the 72th week. Treatment tolerability and compliance were consistent. The patient experienced a dramatic improvement of quality of life instruments. CONCLUSION: In this case, adalimumab has been demonstrated to be effective, safe and appropriate for long-term use, indicating a beneficial effect on quality of life parameters.

Adalimumab for the treatment of severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic, genetically determined, immunomediated, inflammatory skin disease affecting approximately 2 - 3% of the Caucasian population. Systemic treatment is required in moderate to severe plaque-type psoriasis forms or psoriatic arthritis. However, cumulative organ toxicity, lack of efficacy over time and other underlying diseases may limit long-term use of conventional treatments. OBJECTIVES: TNF-alpha, serves a key role in potentiating inflammatory responses associated with both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Adalimumab is a fully human anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody; approved for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis and, more recently, for plaque-type psoriasis. METHODS: This review reports the latest progresses made in the clinical use of 'biologic' drugs for psoriasis focusing on the clinical management of adalimumab in the treatment of plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. RESULTS: Adalimumab was shown to be effective in treating both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis with a rapid onset of action and a good safety profile.

Adalimumab for severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: an open-label study in 30 patients previously treated with other biologics.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic, genetically determined, immune-mediated, inflammatory skin disease affecting approximately 2% to 3% of the Caucasian population. Previously reported data demonstrated adalimumab to be an efficacious treatment of psoriatic arthritis and plaque-type psoriasis. Adalimumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody IgG1 against tumor necrosis factor alpha. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of adalimumab, in the treatment of psoriasis patients whose disease is refractory to treatment with other biologic agents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients affected by plaque-type psoriasis with or without psoriatic arthritis, unresponsive to conventional and biologic systemic treatments were enrolled. Adalimumab was administered in monotherapy, at a dosage of 40 mg, subcutaneously, once a week. RESULTS: At week 12, 26 of 30 patients (87%) achieved Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 75; at week 24, 25 of 30 patients (83%) achieved PASI 75. Concerning psoriatic arthritis, at week 24, the mean Health Assessment Questionnaire score improved from 0.99 to 0.2, Ritchie articular index from 10.15 to 2, and Pain Visual Assessment Score from 6.32 to 1.2. Furthermore, therapy with adalimumab considerably enhanced patients' quality of life as assessed by two measures (Dermatology Life Quality Index, Psoriasis Disability Index). Adalimumab was generally safe and well tolerated. LIMITATIONS: This is not a randomized placebo-controlled study and is restricted to a small number of patients. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, although preliminary, monotherapy with adalimumab 40 mg weekly proved to be an effective and safe treatment for the management of plaque-type psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, with a rapid onset of action in patients whose disease had been refractory to both conventional and biologic agents.