Abstract
Background In the phase III double-blind Efficacy and Safety Trial Evaluating the Effects of Apremilast in Psoriasis (ESTEEM) 1 and 2, apremilast, an oral phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, demonstrated efficacy in moderate to severe psoriasis. Objective We sought to evaluate efficacy of apremilast in nail/scalp psoriasis in ESTEEM 1 and 2. Methods A total of 1255 patients were randomized (2:1) to apremilast 30 mg twice daily or placebo. At week 16, placebo patients switched to apremilast through week 32, followed by a randomized withdrawal phase to week 52. A priori efficacy analyses included patients with nail (target nail Nail Psoriasis Severity Index score ≥1) and moderate to very severe scalp (Scalp Physician Global Assessment score ≥3) psoriasis at baseline. Results At baseline, 66.1% and 64.7% of patients had nail psoriasis; 66.7% and 65.5% had moderate to very severe scalp psoriasis in ESTEEM 1 and 2. At week 16, apremilast produced greater improvements in Nail Psoriasis Severity Index score versus placebo; mean percent change: -22.5% versus +6.5% (ESTEEM 1; P < .0001) and -29.0% versus -7.1% (ESTEEM 2; P = .0052). At week 16, apremilast produced greater NAPSI-50 response (50% reduction from baseline in target nail Nail Psoriasis Severity Index score) versus placebo (both studies P < .0001) and ScPGA response (Scalp Physician Global Assessment score 0 or 1) versus placebo (both studies P < .0001). Improvements were generally maintained over 52 weeks in patients with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index response at week 32. Limitations Baseline randomization was not stratified for nail/scalp psoriasis. Conclusion Apremilast reduces the severity of nail/scalp psoriasis.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 134-142 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology |
Volume | 74 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2016 |
Keywords
- apremilast
- nail psoriasis
- phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor
- psoriasis
- scalp psoriasis
- systemic therapy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Dermatology