Efficacy of adalimumab in plaque psoriasis: experience on 28 patients.
Psoriasis is a common, chronic inflammatory skin disease with arthritis that may occur in a percentage of patients that varies between 5% and 42%. Many systemic agents as cyclosporine, methotrexate, acitretin, and photochemotherapy have been used for the treatment of patients affected by moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis although they present side effects (ie, cumulative organ toxicity and lack of efficacy over time) that limit long-term use. Significant therapeutical improvement has been obtained introducing biological therapies, designed to modify and regulate immunological processes by targeting specific molecules involved in the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis. Adalimumab is a fully human recombinant antibody against tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). To date, there is not much data available on the efficacy and safety of adalimumab in patients affected by moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The authors report our first experience on the efficacy and safety of adalimumab in monotherapy at a dose of 40 mg every-other-week for the treatment of plaque psoriasis in patients with or without arthritis. Twenty-eight patients were treated for a period of 48 months. It was observed an improvement of the psoriasis condition as well as of patients' quality of life and mood state.
Ardigò
Marco
M
Clinical Dermatology Department, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, Rome, Italy. ardigo@ifo.it
Giuliani
Alessia
A
de Felice
Catia
C
Mastroianni
Antonio
A
Berardesca
Enzo
E
D000068879:Adalimumab; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068879:Adalimumab