For patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis, apremilast appears to have a neutral association with aortic vascular inflammation, generally beneficial associations with certain cardiometabolic biomarkers, and associations with reductions in visceral and subcutaneous fat, according to a study published online Sept. 21 in JAMA Dermatology .

Joel M. Gelfand, M.D., from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine in Philadelphia, and colleagues examined the association between apremilast and aortic vascular inflammation in a single-arm, open-label nonrandomized trial. Seventy patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis were enrolled; 60 completed assessments at week 16 and 39 at week 52.

The researchers found that compared with baseline, there was no change in aortic vascular inflammation at week 16 or 52. Potentially beneficial decreases in interleukin 1b, valine, leucine, isoleucine, fetuin A, and branched-chain amino acids were seen at week 16. Compared with baseline, at week 52, potentially beneficial decreases were seen in ferritin, β-hydroxybutyrate, acetone, and ketone bodies, and there was an increase observed in apolipoprotein A-1; a reduction was seen in cholesterol efflux. An approximately 5 to 6 percent decrease in subcutaneous and visceral adiposity was seen at week 16 and was maintained at week 52.

"Seeing a drop in visceral fat during apremilast treatment suggests that, over the longer term, psoriasis patients who take apremilast may be on a trajectory toward better cardiovascular health," Gelfand said in a statement.

Several authors disclosed financial ties to biopharmaceutical companies, including Celgene, which was the initial funding sponsor, and Amgen, which subsequently sponsored the study; Amgen manufactures apremilast.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)