Adalimumab in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, Jan, 2007 by Marissa Heller

A recently published multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined the safety and efficacy of adalimumab in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque-type psoriasis. In this study, 147 patients received adalimumab at 40 mg every other week or 40 mg every week or placebo for 12 weeks, followed by a 48-week extension trial.

Results indicated PASI 75 was achieved by 53% of patients taking adalimumab every other week, 80% of patients taking adalimumab every week, and 4% of patients taking placebo. These clinical responses were maintained at 60 weeks follow-up. The authors concluded that adalimumab significantly improved moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and that the medication was well-tolerated in the 60-week treatment period. (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 55:4, October 2006, pp. 598-606).