Cutaneous reactions after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: a cross-sectional Spanish nationwide study of 405 cases.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous reactions after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines are poorly characterized. OBJECTIVE: To describe and classify cutaneous reactions after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. METHODS: A nationwide Spanish cross-sectional study was conducted. We included patients with cutaneous reactions within 21 days of any dose of the approved vaccines at the time of the study. After a face-to-face visit with a dermatologist, information on cutaneous reactions was collected via an online professional survey and clinical photographs were sent by email. Investigators searched for consensus on clinical patterns and classification. RESULTS: From 16 February to 15 May 2021, we collected 405 reactions after vaccination with the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech; 40·2%), mRNA-1273 (Moderna; 36·3%) and AZD1222 (AstraZeneca; 23·5%) vaccines. Mean patient age was 50·7 years and 80·2% were female. Cutaneous reactions were classified as injection site ('COVID arm', 32·1%), urticaria (14·6%), morbilliform (8·9%), papulovesicular (6·4%), pityriasis rosea-like (4·9%) and purpuric (4%) reactions. Varicella zoster and herpes simplex virus reactivations accounted for 13·8% of reactions. The COVID arm was almost exclusive to women (95·4%). The most reported reactions in each vaccine group were COVID arm (mRNA-1273, Moderna, 61·9%), varicella zoster virus reactivation (BNT162b2, Pfizer-BioNTech, 17·2%) and urticaria (AZD1222, AstraZeneca, 21·1%). Most reactions to the mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccine were described in women (90·5%). Eighty reactions (21%) were classified as severe/very severe and 81% required treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Cutaneous reactions after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination are heterogeneous. Most are mild-to-moderate and self-limiting, although severe/very severe reactions are reported. Knowledge of these reactions during mass vaccination may help healthcare professionals and reassure patients.

SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines and the Skin.

Vaccines against the severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2, which are the first to be used in humans against any coronavirus, were developed and produced in record time. Dermatologic adverse effects appeared during clinical trials and have also been described in the population since approval. Just as descriptions and categorization of skin manifestations of the coronavirus disease 2019 proved important for understanding the disease itself, characterizing the effects of vaccines may also further that goal. This paper reviews the properties of the different types of vaccines currently available and under development and describes how they interact with the immune system and the clinical signs they may cause. We focus on dermatologic adverse effects reported to date and recommendations for managing them.

Las vacunas contra el SARS-CoV-2 son las primeras vacunas que han sido usadas en humanos contra coronavirus y su desarrollo se ha producido en un tiempo récord. En los análisis de seguridad de los ensayos clínicos previos a su aprobación y en la fase postautorización en la población, se han descrito efectos secundarios dermatológicos. La descripción y categorización de las manifestaciones cutáneas de la COVID-19 fueron importantes para el conocimiento de la enfermedad y de la misma forma pueden serlo las generadas por las vacunas. En este artículo hacemos un repaso a las características de los diferentes tipos de vacunas disponibles y en desarrollo, su modo de interacción con el sistema inmune, las consecuentes manifestaciones clínicas que pueden generar, con especial interés en los efectos secundarios dermatológicos hasta el momento descritos, y las actitudes terapéuticas recomendadas ante cada una de estas reacciones.

Increased serum hepcidin levels in patients with porphyria cutanea tarda.

BACKGROUND: Increased iron stores- are common in porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) patients, but the pathophysiological pathways remain unknown. Down-regulation of hepcidin, a peptide which regulates systemic iron homeostasis, has been demonstrated in different conditions associated with PCT, such as haemochromatosis, chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and excessive alcohol intake. However, serum hepcidin levels have not yet been studied in PCT patients. OBJECTIVE: To measure the serum hepcidin levels in patients with PCT, CHC and control patients, and to assess the association of hepcidin with serum markers of inflammation, iron overload and oxidative stress. METHODS: Hepcidin levels were measured by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in serum samples of patients presenting PCT (n = 30), CHC (n = 31) and healthy volunteers (n = 52). RESULTS: The mean of serum hepcidin levels was significantly higher in the PCT group (129.6 ng/mL) in comparison with the mean values in the CHC (41.3 ng/mL) and control (70.8 ng/mL) groups. The serum concentration of ferritin and interleukin-6 (IL-6) was also significantly higher in the PCT group, and correlated strongly with the hepcidin levels. The PCT patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection showed significantly higher hepcidin levels than the group of CHC patients without porphyria. CONCLUSION: Serum hepcidin levels are increased in patients with PCT suggesting that the mechanisms regulating iron homeostasis in PCT differ from those involved in other related disorders, such as haemochromatosis, HCV infection or alcohol abuse.

Tofacitinib and other kinase inhibitors in the treatment of psoriasis.

Protein kinases play a crucial role in the intracellular signaling pathways involved in inflammation and cell proliferation. Advances in our understanding of these metabolic pathways and of the role played by intracellular signaling in the pathogenesis of psoriasis have led to research in this area and the development of a new class of drugs for the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory processes. Since kinase inhibitors are small molecules, oral and topical treatments are possible. The future role of these molecules in the therapeutic arsenal used to treat psoriasis is as yet unknown because in most cases they are still in the early stages of research. The fact that these drugs may cost much less than biologic therapies could favor their approval in coming years. Tofacitinib, a Janus kinase inhibitor, is the drug that has reached the most advanced stage of research and has shown the most promising results.

New treatments for human papillomavirus infection.

Human papillomavirus infection is very common. In this article, we review the latest developments in the treatment of lesions caused by this virus, with a particular focus on anogenital warts. Sinecatechins and new imiquimod formulations are among the most significant new developments. Others include photodynamic therapy and intralesional immunotherapy, but there is insufficient evidence to recommend their routine use. Finally, while therapeutic vaccines and inhibitory molecules appear to hold great promise, they are still in the early phases of investigation. More studies are needed, and these should have similar designs, larger samples, and sufficiently long follow-up periods to enable the direct comparison of the short-term and long-term effectiveness of different treatment options.

The association between porphyria cutanea tarda and diabetes mellitus: analysis of a long-term follow-up cohort.

BACKGROUND: An association between porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) and diabetes mellitus (DM) is widely reported, but the pathogenetic link remains unknown. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the natural history of DM in the setting of PCT and to determine which PCT features and risk factors may be associated with the development of DM. METHODS: This retrospective longitudinal study included 81 Spanish patients with PCT with at least 10 years of strict follow-up. Patients attended our Porphyria Unit for follow-up visits and the data were collected in the period 2004-2008. We classified patients into two groups: patients with glucose metabolism alterations (GMA: DM or impaired fasting glucose), and patients without. PCT features and PCT and DM risk factors were retrieved from clinical charts and compared between groups. RESULTS: We identified 33 patients (41%) with GMA, of whom 27 (82%) developed GMA a long time after the diagnosis of PCT (mean 12·7 years). In bivariate analysis, these patients had significantly higher mean serum ferritin at diagnosis (651 vs. 405 ng mL(-1); P = 0·005), a higher prevalence of persistently elevated serum ferritin (52% vs. 15%; P < 0·001 for trend) and a higher prevalence of family history of DM (48% vs. 19%; P = 0·004). In multivariate analysis, persistently elevated serum ferritin [odds ratio (OR) 10·66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·95-58·19; P = 0·006] and family history of DM (OR 4·82, 95% CI 1·34-17·33; P = 0·016) remained significantly associated with the presence of GMA. CONCLUSIONS: GMA are highly prevalent in patients with PCT and mostly develop a long time after the diagnosis of PCT. Persistent hyperferritinaemia seems to be a risk biomarker of GMA in patients with PCT, probably in the setting of chronic iron overload and hepatic inflammation. Strict long-term monitoring of glucose metabolism and serum ferritin may be advisable in the routine follow-up of patients with PCT.

[Clinical characteristics and disease course in patients treated with efalizumab following suspension of marketing authorization by the European medicines agency: a multicenter observational study]. / Perfil clínico y curso evolutivo de los pacientes tratados con efalizumab tras la suspensión de su autorización por la EMEA. Estudio observacional y multicéntrico.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The withdrawal of marketing authorization for efalizumab by the European Medicines Agency in February, 2009 provided a unique opportunity to assess the course of disease in patients who were not subject to the selection criteria and biases that were common in the pivotal trials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the course of psoriasis following forced suspension of efalizumab in a group of patients treated in normal clinical practice. As secondary objectives, we sought to assess the relationships between clinical characteristics, treatment response, and disease course during efalizumab treatment and 12 and 24 weeks after suspension. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Information on the epidemiological profile and disease course during treatment and following suspension of the drug was collected from a group of patients treated with efalizumab. Statistical analyses were performed to identify predictive factors. RESULTS: One hundred forty-seven patients from 12 Spanish hospitals were included in the study. During treatment, 4% of patients were diagnosed with generalized inflammatory flares. Most patients could be classified as having a good (55%) or moderate (18%) response to treatment. Rebound following withdrawal of efalizumab was observed in 30% of patients. The likelihood of rebound was independent of clinical characteristics, treatment response, or therapeutic approach used by the dermatologist following suspension. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high frequency of rebound following suspension of efalizumab, exceeding the rate reported in pivotal trials. This is particularly noteworthy given the large proportion of patients with a good response to treatment and therefore believed to have a better prognosis. Other significant findings were the higher frequency of positive treatment response than observed in previous studies (possibly influenced by the mean treatment duration) and the high frequency of generalized inflammatory flares.

[Guidelines on the use of methotrexate in psoriasis]. / Metotrexato: guía de uso en psoriasis.

Psoriasis, a chronic multifactorial inflammatory disease that develops in genetically predisposed individuals, affects approximately 1.5% of the Spanish population. This disease has a negative impact on patients' quality of life, and long-term therapy is often required to control the symptoms. In addition to the classical systemic treatments (methotrexate, acitretin, cyclosporine, and ultraviolet light), the group of drugs known as biologics (etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab, and ustekinumab) provides the dermatologist with an expanded therapeutic armamentarium, thereby improving the likelihood of controlling psoriasis in patients with severe and/or extensive disease. Methotrexate, a classic antipsoriatic drug, is still very useful either as single-drug therapy or in combination with other systemic drugs, particularly as a rescue therapy or combined with biologics. This article aims to establish the role of methotrexate in the treatment of psoriasis. We considered it of interest to develop guidelines for using methotrexate in the management of psoriasis with a view to ensuring the safe and proper use of this drug in the management of psoriasis. This document was developed by consensus among members of the Psoriasis Group of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

Guidelines on the Use of Methotrexate in Psoriasis. / Metotrexato: guía de uso en psoriasis.

Psoriasis, a chronic multifactorial inflammatory disease that develops in genetically predisposed individuals, affects approximately 1.5% of the Spanish population. This disease has a negative impact on patients' quality of life, and long-term therapy is often required to control the symptoms. In addition to the classical systemic treatments (methotrexate, acitretin, cyclosporine, and ultraviolet light), the group of drugs known as biologics (etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab, and ustekinumab) provides the dermatologist with an expanded therapeutic armamentarium, thereby improving the likelihood of controlling psoriasis in patients with severe and/or extensive disease. Methotrexate, a classic antipsoriatic drug, is still very useful either as single-drug therapy or in combination with other systemic drugs, particularly as a rescue therapy or combined with biologics. This article aims to establish the role of methotrexate in the treatment of psoriasis. We considered it of interest to develop guidelines for using methotrexate in the management of psoriasis with a view to ensuring the safe and proper use of this drug in the management of psoriasis. This document was developed by consensus among members of the Psoriasis Group of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

Description of Patients Treated with Biologic Drugs as First-Line Systemic Therapy in the BIOBADADERM Registry Between 2008 and 2016. / Descripción de los pacientes que reciben biológicos como primer tratamiento sistémico en el registro BIOBADADERM durante el periodo 2008-2016.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Biologic drugs are usually prescribed as second-line treatment for psoriasis, that is, after the patient has first been treated with a conventional psoriasis drug. There are, however, cases where, depending on the characteristics of the patient or the judgement of the physician, biologics may be chosen as first-line therapy. No studies to date have analyzed the demographics or clinical characteristics of patients in this setting or the safety profile of the agents used. The main aim of this study was to characterize these aspects of first-line biologic therapy and compare them to those observed for patients receiving biologics as second-line therapy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We conducted an observational study of 181 patients treated in various centers with a systemic biologic drug as first-line treatment for moderate to severe psoriasis between January 2008 and November 2016. All the patients were registered in the Spanish Registry of Adverse Events Associated with Biologic Drugs in Dermatology. RESULTS: The characteristics of the first- and second-line groups were very similar, although the patients receiving a biologic as first-line treatment for their psoriasis were older. No differences were observed for disease severity (assessed using the PASI) or time to diagnosis. Hypertension, diabetes, and liver disease were all more common in the first-line group. There were no differences between the groups in terms of reasons for drug withdrawal or occurrence of adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: No major differences were found between patients with psoriasis receiving biologic drugs as first- or second-line therapy, a finding that provides further evidence of the safety of biologic therapy in patients with psoriasis.

Vacunas frente a SARS-CoV-2 y piel / SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines and the Skin

Las vacunas contra el SARS-CoV-2 son las primeras vacunas que han sido usadas en humanos contra coronavirus y su desarrollo se ha producido en un tiempo récord. En los análisis de seguridad de los ensayos clínicos previos a su aprobación y en la fase postautorización en la población, se han descrito efectos secundarios dermatológicos. La descripción y categorización de las manifestaciones cutáneas de la COVID-19 fueron importantes para el conocimiento de la enfermedad y de la misma forma pueden serlo las generadas por las vacunas. En este artículo hacemos un repaso a las características de los diferentes tipos de vacunas disponibles y en desarrollo, su modo de interacción con el sistema inmune, las consecuentes manifestaciones clínicas que pueden generar, con especial interés en los efectos secundarios dermatológicos hasta el momento descritos, y las actitudes terapéuticas recomendadas ante cada una de estas reacciones (AU)

Vaccines against the severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2, which are the first to be used in humans against any coronavirus, were developed and produced in record time. Dermatologic adverse effects appeared during clinical trials and have also been described in the population since approval. Just as descriptions and categorization of skin manifestations of the coronavirus disease 2019 proved important for understanding the disease itself, characterizing the effects of vaccines may also further that goal. This paper reviews the properties of the different types of vaccines currently available and under development and describes how they interact with the immune system and the clinical signs they may cause. We focus on dermatologic adverse effects reported to date and recommendations for managing them (AU)

Descripción de los pacientes que reciben biológicos como primer tratamiento sistémico en el registro BIOBADADERM durante el periodo 2008-2016 / Description of Patients Treated with Biologic Drugs as First-Line Systemic Therapy in the BIOBADADERM Registry Between 2008 and 2016

INTRODUCCIÓN Y OBJETIVOS: La utilización clínica habitual de los fármacos biológicos en el tratamiento de la psoriasis es en segunda línea, es decir, tras el uso previo de un fármaco clásico. Sin embargo, en casos particulares -particularidades del paciente o criterio médico- se realiza la indicación en primera línea. No existen estudios sobre las características demográficas, clínicas y de seguridad de los pacientes que reciben fármaco biológico en primera línea. Como objetivo primario se pretende determinar dichas características de acuerdo con la iniciación de la terapia biológica en primera o segunda línea. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, multicéntrico, de 181 pacientes que iniciaron tratamiento biológico como primer fármaco sistémico para control de su psoriasis moderada-grave, y que forman parte del Registro Español de Acontecimientos Adversos Asociados con Medicamentos Biológicos en Dermatología, entre enero de 2008 y noviembre de 2016. RESULTADOS: Los pacientes de ambos grupos son muy similares, si bien se evidencia que el grupo que recibe el biológico en primera línea presenta una edad más avanzada, sin que se justifique por gravedad de la enfermedad (PASI) ni por el tiempo de evolución de esta desde el diagnóstico. En este grupo de pacientes es más frecuente la presencia de hipertensión, diabetes y hepatopatía. No hemos encontrado diferencias en motivos de suspensión ni seguridad entre ambos grupos. CONCLUSIONES: No se han encontrado diferencias relevantes entre los 2 grupos, lo cual refuerza la seguridad de los fármacos biológicos en este contexto

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Biologic drugs are usually prescribed as second-line treatment for psoriasis, that is, after the patient has first been treated with a conventional psoriasis drug. There are, however, cases where, depending on the characteristics of the patient or the judgement of the physician, biologics may be chosen as first-line therapy. No studies to date have analyzed the demographics or clinical characteristics of patients in this setting or the safety profile of the agents used. The main aim of this study was to characterize these aspects of first-line biologic therapy and compare them to those observed for patients receiving biologics as second-line therapy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We conducted an observational study of 181 patients treated in various centers with a systemic biologic drug as first-line treatment for moderate to severe psoriasis between January 2008 and November 2016. All the patients were registered in the Spanish Registry of Adverse Events Associated with Biologic Drugs in Dermatology. RESULTS: The characteristics of the first- and second-line groups were very similar, although the patients receiving a biologic as first-line treatment for their psoriasis were older. No differences were observed for disease severity (assessed using the PASI) or time to diagnosis. Hypertension, diabetes, and liver disease were all more common in the first-line group. There were no differences between the groups in terms of reasons for drug withdrawal or occurrence of adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: No major differences were found between patients with psoriasis receiving biologic drugs as first- or second-line therapy, a finding that provides further evidence of the safety of biologic therapy in patients with psoriasis

Nuevos tratamientos en la infección por virus del papiloma humano / New Treatments for Human Papillomavirus Infection

La infección por el virus del papiloma humano es una afección muy prevalente. Se revisan los aspectos más novedosos del tratamiento de las lesiones producidas por este virus, especialmente las verrugas anogenitales. Las sinecatequinas y las nuevas formulaciones de imiquimod destacan como novedades, mientras que la terapia fotodinámica y la inmunoterapia intralesional carecen de evidencia científica suficiente para recomendar su uso rutinario. Las vacunas terapéuticas y las moléculas inhibidoras parecen poseer un gran potencial, aun cuando se encuentran en fases iniciales de investigación. Sería deseable disponer de estudios más homogéneos, con muestras más grandes y con seguimientos suficientemente prolongados que permitiesen comparar directamente la efectividad entre las diferentes modalidades terapéuticas a corto y largo plazo (AU)

Human papillomavirus infection is very common. In this article, we review the latest developments in the treatment of lesions caused by this virus, with a particular focus on anogenital warts. Sinecatechins and new imiquimod formulations are among the most significant new developments. Others include photodynamic therapy and intralesional immunotherapy, but there is insufficient evidence to recommend their routine use. Finally, while therapeutic vaccines and inhibitory molecules appear to hold great promise, they are still in the early phases of investigation. More studies are needed, and these should have similar designs, larger samples, and sufficiently long follow-up periods to enable the direct comparison of the short-term and long-term effectiveness of different treatment options (AU)

Tofacitinib y otros inhibidores de las cinasas en el tratamiento de la psoriasis / Tofacitinib and Other Kinase Inhibitors in the Treatment of Psoriasis

Las proteínas cinasas desempeñan un papel fundamental en las vías de señalización intracelular implicadas tanto en la proliferación celular como en la inflamación. El mejor conocimiento de estas vías metabólicas, y del mecanismo patogénico de las señales intracelulares de la psoriasis, está provocando el desarrollo e investigación de un nuevo grupo de fármacos en el tratamiento de esta enfermedad y de otros procesos inflamatorios. Los inhibidores de las cinasas son moléculas de pequeño tamaño que van a permitir un tratamiento vía oral o tópico. El futuro papel de estos fármacos dentro del arsenal terapéutico de la psoriasis está todavía por determinar, ya que la mayoría de moléculas están en fases precoces de investigación. Su hipotético coste inferior al de los tratamientos biológicos pudiera favorecer su aprobación en los próximos años. Tofacitinib, un inhibidor de las cinasas Janus, es el fármaco con investigación más avanzada y resultados prometedores (AU)

Protein kinases play a crucial role in the intracellular signaling pathways involved in inflammation and cell proliferation. Advances in our understanding of these metabolic pathways and of the role played by intracellular signaling in the pathogenesis of psoriasis have led to research in this area and the development of a new class of drugs for the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory processes. Since kinase inhibitors are small molecules, oral and topical treatments are possible. The future role of these molecules in the therapeutic arsenal used to treat psoriasis is as yet unknown because in most cases they are still in the early stages of research. The fact that these drugs may cost much less than biologic therapies could favor their approval in coming years. Tofacitinib, a Janus kinase inhibitor, is the drug that has reached the most advanced stage of research and has shown the most promising results (AU)

Perfil clínico y curso evolutivo de los pacientes tratados con efalizumab tras la suspensión de su autorización por la EMEA. Estudio observacional y multicéntrico / Clinical Characteristics and Disease Course in Patients Treated With Efalizumab Following Suspension of Marketing Authorization by the European Medicines Agency: A Multicenter Observational Study

Introducción: La reciente resolución de la EMEA con respecto a la suspensión de efalizumab, ocurrida en febrero del año 2009, ha proporcionado una oportunidad única para comprobar la evolución de un grupo de pacientes en cuya selección no intervinieron los filtros ni los sesgos habituales de los estudios pivotales. El objetivo planteado fue evaluar el curso de la psoriasis tras la suspensión forzosa de efalizumab en un grupo de pacientes tratados en el ámbito clínico. Como objetivos secundarios se planteó investigar su perfil clínico, la respuesta y evolución durante el tratamiento y el curso evolutivo a las 12 y 24 semanas tras la suspensión. Pacientes y métodos: Se recogió información procedente de un grupo de pacientes tratados con efalizumab referida al perfil epidemiológico, al curso de la dermatosis durante el tratamiento y a su evolución al suspenderlo. Se llevaron a cabo estudios estadísticos con vistas a identificar variables predictivas de los distintos objetivos investigados. Resultados: Se incluyeron 147 pacientes procedentes de 12 centros hospitalarios nacionales. Durante el tratamiento un 4% de los pacientes fue diagnosticado de exacerbación inflamatoria generalizada. La mayor parte de los pacientes pudieron ser clasificados como buenos respondedores (55%) o respondedores moderados (18%). Un 30% de los pacientes presentaron rebote tras la suspensión de efalizumab. La probabilidad de rebote fue independiente del perfil clínico, la respuesta al tratamiento o la actitud terapéutica del dermatólogo al suspenderlo. Discusión y conclusiones: Se comprobó una elevada ocurrencia de fenómeno de rebote tras la suspensión de efalizumab, superior a la descrita en los ensayos clínicos pivotales y especialmente significativa si se tiene en cuenta la elevada incidencia de buenos respondedores durante el tratamiento, considerados de mejor pronóstico. Otros datos significativos son la superior perspectiva de respuesta clínica —presumiblemente condicionada por el tiempo medio de tratamiento—, y la elevada incidencia de episodios de exacerbación inflamatoria generalizada (AU)

Background and objectives: The withdrawal of marketing authorization for efalizumab by the European Medicines Agency in February, 2009 provided a unique opportunity to assess the course of disease in patients who were not subject to the selection criteria and biases that were common in the pivotal trials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the course of psoriasis following forced suspension of efalizumab in a group of patients treated in normal clinical practice. As secondary objectives, we sought to assess the relationships between clinical characteristics, treatment response, and disease course during efalizumab treatment and 12 and 24weeks after suspension. Patients and methods: Information on the epidemiological profile and disease course during treatment and following suspension of the drug was collected from a group of patients treated with efalizumab. Statistical analyses were performed to identify predictive factors. Results: One hundred forty-seven patients from 12 Spanish hospitals were included in the study. During treatment, 4% of patients were diagnosed with generalized inflammatory flares. Most patients could be classified as having a good (55%) or moderate (18%) response to treatment. Rebound following withdrawal of efalizumab was observed in 30% of patients. The likelihood of rebound was independent of clinical characteristics, treatment response, or therapeutic approach used by the dermatologist following suspension. Conclusions: There was a high frequency of rebound following suspension of efalizumab, exceeding the rate reported in pivotal trials. This is particularly noteworthy given the large proportion of patients with a good response to treatment and therefore believed to have a better prognosis. Other significant findings were the higher frequency of positive treatment response than observed in previous studies (possibly influenced by the mean treatment duration) and the high frequency of generalized inflammatory flares (AU)

Metotrexato: guía de uso en psoriasis / Guidelines on the Use of Methotrexate in Psoriasis

La psoriasis es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica, de predisposición genética y origen multifactorial, que afecta aproximadamente al 1,5% de la población española, repercutiendo negativamente de forma importante en la calidad de vida de los pacientes, los cuales requieren frecuentemente tratamientos de larga duración, para controlar sus síntomas. Los tratamientos sistémicos clásicos (metotrexato, acitetrino, ciclosporina, luz ultravioleta), junto con las denominadas terapias biológicas (etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab, ustekinumab) permiten al dermatólogo disponer de un arsenal terapéutico más amplio y disponer, por lo tanto, de mayores posibilidades de control de pacientes con psoriasis severa y/o extensa. El metotrexato, un fármaco clásico en la terapia antipsoriásica, sigue siendo de gran utilidad tanto en monoterapia como asociado a otros fármacos sistémicos, en especial como rescate o combinación con los biológicos. El objetivo de este artículo es establecer el papel del metotrexato en el tratamiento de la psoriasis. Por ello hemos creído de interés elaborar una guía de uso de metotrexato en psoriasis, consensuada entre varios componentes del Grupo de Psoriasis de la Academia Española de Dermatología y Venereología, que facilite la utilización segura y precisa de este fármaco en el manejo de pacientes con psoriasis (AU)

Psoriasis, a chronic multifactorial inflammatory disease that develops in genetically predisposed individuals, affects approximately 1.5% of the Spanish population. This disease has a negative impact on patients’ quality of life, and long-term therapy is often required to control the symptoms. In addition to the classical systemic treatments (methotrexate, acitretin, cyclosporine, and ultraviolet light), the group of drugs known as biologics (etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab, and ustekinumab) provides the dermatologist with an expanded therapeutic armamentarium, thereby improving the likelihood of controlling psoriasis in patients with severe and/or extensive disease. Methotrexate, a classic antipsoriatic drug, is still very useful either as single-drug therapy or in combination with other systemic drugs, particularly as a rescue therapy or combined with biologics. This article aims to establish the role of methotrexate in the treatment of psoriasis. We considered it of interest to develop guidelines for using methotrexate in the management of psoriasis with a view to ensuring the safe and proper use of this drug in the management of psoriasis. This document was developed by consensus among members of the Psoriasis Group of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AU)