For adults with mild-to-moderate psoriasis, continued apremilast treatment results in sustained clinical improvements, according to a research letter published online Oct. 27 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology .

Linda Stein Gold, M.D., from the Henry Ford Health System in West Bloomfield, Michigan, and colleagues present data on the efficacy and safety of apremilast during a 16-week extension phase following a trial in which patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to apremilast or placebo for 16 weeks. Overall, 437 patients completed the extension phase, 221 of whom continued apremilast treatment.

There were 66 discontinuations (13.1 percent). The researchers found that the primary end point was met, with 21.6 and 4.1 percent of apremilast- and placebo-treated patients, respectively, achieving static Physician's Global Assessment (sPGA) scores of 0 or 1 (clear or almost clear) and at least a 2-point reduction from baseline at week 16. At week 32, sPGA response was maintained by 30.2 and 34.3 percent, respectively, of patients continuing apremilast and patients initially randomly assigned to placebo and initiating apremilast using data as observed, and 24.9 and 29.3 percent, respectively, using nonresponder imputation.

"These findings demonstrate that continued apremilast treatment results in sustained clinical improvements in overall disease severity, scalp psoriasis, itch, and quality of life for patients with mild-to-moderate psoriasis," the authors write.

Several authors disclosed financial ties to pharmaceutical companies, including Amgen, which manufactures apremilast and funded the study.

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