title: Apremilast for the management of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
abstract: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by erythematous plaques on extensor surfaces, scalp, and back. Current therapies for psoriasis are limited by route of administration, side effects, and cost. Apremilast is the first oral phosphodiesterase inhibitor approved for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. It is a small molecule inhibitor of phosphodiesterase-4, and decreases the inflammatory activity associated with psoriasis. Areas covered: This review will discuss the pharmacology of apremilast, mechanism of action, results from key clinical trials, and its use in managing psoriasis. Currently approved treatments are also discussed. Expert commentary: The advantages of apremilast include convenient oral administration and dosing, a favorable safety and tolerability profile, and significant efficacy in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.
authors.affiliation: a Dermatology Clinical Research Fellow , Center for Clinical Studies , Webster , TX , USA.
authors.forename: Ramya
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vangipuram
authors.affiliation: b Department of Dermatology , University of Cincinnati Medical Center , Cincinnati , OH , USA.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alikhan
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D058988:Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D058988:Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors; D013792:Thalidomide; C505730:apremilast
keywords: Apremilast; cytokine; immunomodulatory; phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor; psoriasis