Apremilast Shows Promise as Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment | Carter Rogers' Review On The Best Treatment Options For Diseases

Long-term data from study results have shown that Apremilast improves the signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis in about 60% of patients at 52 weeks. Apremilast is an oral drug for psoriatic arthritis that is being developed by Celgene. It inhibits phosphodiesterase-4, a molecule thatmodulates a network of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators within cells.

The findings were derived from the PALACEtrials, several trials that have studied the safety and effectiveness of Apremilast for psoriatic arthritis.Results from PALACE1, which were reported last year, revealed thatat the 16-week point 31% of psoriatic arthritis patients treated with 20 mg. Apremilast and 40% of those treated with 30 mg. Apremilast achieved ACR20 compared to 19% who were given placebo. Patients who failed to achieve ACR20 at 16 weeks and who were originally assigned placebo were randomly assigned 20 or 30 mg. Apremilast for a continuaton of the trial. Patients who originally were given Apremilast but didn’t achieve ACR20 at 16 weeks continued with their dose. At the 24-week point, the rest of the placebo group was randomly assigned 20 or 30 mg. Apremilast. Study participants were evaluated at the 1-year point in the study.

The effectiveness seen at 52 weeks is promising, as are positive results from PALACE 1, 2, and 3. Based on the findings, Celgene is expected to file for FDA approval of Apremilast for psoriatic arthritis. The drug is also being studied as a possible treatment for psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Behcet’s disease.