Study: Apremilast for Combination Therapy

A review of apremilast (Otezla; Amgen) as combination therapy in moderate to severe psoriasis—a chronic inflammatory skin condition—was recently published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 

Apremilast is an oral phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor approved by the FDA for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in patients eligible for phototherapy or systemic therapy. It increases cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), modulating the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

The primary goal of the review was to examine current literature describing the efficacy and safety profile of the addition of apremilast to current therapies like topical, phototherapy, and systemic agents for psoriasis treatment. The researchers used 1 database for the search.

Overall, there were 17 studies with 617 patients that met inclusion criteria, 15 of which demonstrated beneficial results with excellent safety and efficacy using apremilast as a combination therapy. 

“Apremilast has been shown to improve the quality of life and reduce symptom severity in moderate to severe psoriasis,” The authors concluded. “The drug’s simple dosing schedule with mild side effect profile makes it a practical option for patients as combination therapy.”

Reference:

1. Ivanic MG, Thatiparthi A, Walia S, et al. Review of apremilast combination therapies in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis. J Drugs Dermatol. 2021;20(8):837-843. doi:10.36849/JDD.5845