Treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis with concomitant efalizumab and narrow-band ultraviolet B phototherapy.
BACKGROUND
Efalizumab therapy and narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy have different mechanisms of action; combined therapy may be more effective than either treatment alone in treating moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.


METHODS
This study investigated the efficacy and safety of efalizumab (1 mg/kg/wk) combined with NB-UVB 3 times a week for 12 weeks, followed by efalizumab monotherapy for 12 additional weeks.


RESULTS
Twenty patients were enrolled with mean Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) of 12.8 +/- 7.4, mean physician's global assessment (PGA) of 5 +/- 1, and mean body surface area (BSA) affected of 18.2% +/- 15.3% at baseline. At week 12, 65% of patients (n = 13) achieved PASI 75; mean PGA was 2 +/- 1, corresponding to a 60% reduction; and mean BSA was 4.7% +/- 4.1%, corresponding to a 74% reduction. The improvements seen at week 12 were maintained during the ensuing efalizumab monotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Combination of efalizumab and NB-UVB followed by efalizumab monotherapy was effective and well tolerated, this warranting further investigation.
Kircik
Leon H
LH
Department of Dermatology, Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA. wedoderm@bellsouth.net
Liu
Clive
C
Goffe
Bernard S
BS
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; C472181:efalizumab