The role of OX40L/OX40 axis signalling in atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a heterogeneous inflammatory condition involving multiple immune pathways mediated by pathogenic T cells. OX40 Ligand (OX40L) and OX40 are co-stimulatory immune checkpoint molecules that regulate effector and memory T cell activity and promote sustained immune responses in multiple immunological pathways, including Th2, Th1, Th17 and Th22. As such, OX40L/OX40 signalling between antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and activated T cells post-antigen recognition promotes pathogenic T cell proliferation and survival. Under inflammatory conditions, OX40L is upregulated on APCs, enhancing the magnitude of antigen-specific T cell responses and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. In AD, OX40L/OX40 signalling contributes to the amplification and chronic persistence of T-cell mediated inflammation. Recent therapeutic success in clinical trials has highlighted the importance of the OX40L/OX40 axis as a promising target for the treatment of AD. Here we discuss the many factors that are involved in the expression of OX40L and OX40, including the cytokine milieu, antigen presentation, the inflammatory environment in AD, and the therapeutic direction influenced by this co-stimulatory pathway.

Characteristics of Patients with Crohn's Disease With or Without Perianal Fistulae in the CorEvitas Inflammatory Bowel Disease Registry.

BACKGROUND: There are limited real-world data characterizing perianal fistulae in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). AIM: To describe characteristics of patients with CD with and without perianal fistulae. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, characteristics, treatment history, and health outcomes of patients with CD enrolled in the CorEvitas IBD Registry were described according to perianal fistula status (current/previous or none). RESULTS: Eight hundred and seventy-eight patients were included. Compared with patients with no perianal fistulae (n = 723), patients with current/previous perianal fistulae (n = 155) had longer disease duration since CD diagnosis (mean 16.5 vs 12.3 years; difference 4.3 years; 95% CI, 2.0, 6.6) and fewer had Harvey-Bradshaw Index scores indicative of remission (0-4, 56.8% vs 69.6%; difference - 12.9%; 95% CI, - 21.6, - 4.2). More patients with current/previous fistulae reported a history of IBD-related emergency room visits (67.7% vs 56.1%; difference 11.6%; 95% CI, 3.4, 19.8), hospitalizations (76.1% vs 58.4%; difference 17.7%; 95% CI, 10.1, 25.4), and surgeries (59.4% vs 27.7%; difference 31.7%; 95% CI, 23.3, 40.1), and a history of treatment with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (81.3% vs 60.7%; difference 20.6%; 95% CI, 13.5, 27.7), immunosuppressants (51.6% vs 31.2%; difference 20.4%; 95% CI, 11.9, 29.0), and antibiotics (50.3% vs 23.7%; difference 26.6%; 95% CI, 18.2, 35.1) than patients without perianal fistulae. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CD with current/previous perianal fistulae have more symptomatic experiences of disease, higher medication use, hospitalization rates, and emergency room visits than patients without perianal fistulae. Interventions to prevent/reduce risk of developing fistulae may help improve outcomes in CD.

Systematic review of efficacy of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy in patients with psoriasis previously treated with a different anti-TNF agent.

BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists have improved outcomes for patients with psoriasis, but some patients are unresponsive to treatment (primary failure) or lose an initially effective response (secondary failure). OBJECTIVE: We sought to systematically investigate the efficacy and safety of a second TNF antagonist after failure of a first TNF antagonist. METHODS: Published primary studies evaluating the efficacy of switching TNF antagonists after failure were systematically extracted. RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included. Although response rates to a second TNF antagonist were lower than for a first, a substantial proportion of patients in every study achieved treatment success. Week-24 response rates for a second antagonist were 30% to 74% for a 75% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score and 20% to 70% for achieving a Physician Global Assessment score of 0/1; mean improvements in Dermatology Life Quality Index ranged from -3.5 to -13. In general, patients who experienced secondary failure achieved better responses than patients with primary failure. Adverse event incidences ranged from 20% to 71%, without unexpected adverse events; 0% to 11% of patients experienced serious adverse events. LIMITATIONS: There was no common definition of treatment failure across these studies of varied design. CONCLUSIONS: Some patients benefit from switching to a second TNF antagonist after failure of a first TNF antagonist, with improved quality of life.

Reduction in C-Reactive-Protein Levels With Adalimumab Therapy in Patients With Moderate-to-Severe Hand and/or Foot Psoriasis.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated post hoc the relationship between Humira® (adalimumab) therapy and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in patients with moderate-to-severe hand and/or foot psoriasis from the 16-week placebo-controlled period of REACH.
METHODS: REACH was a phase 4, multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial, evaluating adalimumab treatment for patients with psoriasis of the hands and/or feet. Adults were randomized 2:1 to adalimumab 40 mg every other week (following 80 mg at week 0) or matching placebo from weeks 1 to 16, followed by a 12-week, open-label extension. In this post hoc analysis, changes in hs-CRP were reported as observed from baseline to week 16.
RESULTS: Of the 72 patients (23 placebo, 49 adalimumab) who participated in REACH, 63 (19 placebo, 44 adalimumab) with hs-CRP measurements at baseline and at week 16 were included in this analysis. Baseline median hs-CRP values were 1.6 mg/L (placebo) and 2.2 mg/L (adalimumab), and were 3 times higher for patients with, as compared with those without, psoriatic arthritis (5.45 vs 1.8 mg/L). At week 16, the adalimumab group showed greater improvements (median reduction) from baseline than the placebo group in hs-CRP overall (-0.55 vs +0.10 mg/L), regardless of achievement of PGA of the hands and/or feet (hfPGA) 0 or 1 at week 16 (-0.80 vs 0 mg/L for patients who achieved hfPGA 0/1; -0.40 vs +0.30 mg/L, patients who did not achieve hfPGA 0/1), baseline psoriatic arthritis history (-2.35 mg/L with history [adalimumab group; no history for placebo group]; -0.40 vs +0.10 mg/L without history), and body mass index (BMI) category (defined by median BMI) (-0.80 vs +0.20 mg/L for BMI <30.28 kg/m2; -0.40 vs 0 mg/L for BMI ≥30.28 kg/m2).
CONCLUSION: Treatment with adalimumab 40 mg every other week resulted in greater overall reductions in hs-CRP levels among patients in this post hoc analysis, compared with placebo at 16 weeks regardless of baseline characteristics.

ClinicalTrials.gov Registry for REACH: NCT00735787

J Drugs Dermatol. 2016;15(5):562-566.

Efficacy of Adalimumab Compared With Methotrexate or Placebo Stratified by Baseline BMI in a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial in Patients With Psoriasis.

INTRODUCTION: In the Comparative Study of Humira vs Methotrexate vs Placebo In Psoriasis Patients (CHAMPION) study, significantly more patients achieved ≥75% improvement in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI75) and ≥90% improvement (PASI90) after 16 weeks of treatment with adalimumab (80 mg at week 0, then 40 mg every other week starting at week 1) compared with methotrexate (up to 25 mg/week orally) or placebo. In this exploratory analysis, the efficacy of adalimumab was evaluated in a subset of the CHAMPION patient population stratified by baseline body mass index (BMI). METHODS: PASI responses and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores through 16 weeks of treatment were examined by baseline BMI category (<25 kg/m2 [normal], 25 to <30 kg/m2 [overweight], and ≥30 kg/m2 [obese]) in patients with psoriasis with a baseline PASI total score ≥12. Treatment differences between the adalimumab and the methotrexate or placebo groups were compared using Fisher's exact test for PASI responses and 1-way analysis of variance for DLQI scores. RESULTS: In all BMI categories, adalimumab treatment led to significantly greater rates of PASI75/90 responses at weeks 12 and 16 compared with methotrexate or placebo (P<0.05 for all). In normal weight, overweight, and obese patients at week 16, the respective PASI75 response rates were 85.0%, 85.7%, and 61.3% with adalimumab; 43.3%, 29.3%, and 26.1% with methotrexate; and 28.6%, 16.7%, and 0% with placebo. PASI90 response rates were 70.0%, 53.6%, and 35.5% with adalimumab; 26.7%, 7.3%, and 8.7% with methotrexate; and 9.5%, 16.7%, and 0% with placebo. Across all BMI subgroups, the greatest decreases in DLQI scores from baseline occurred in the adalimumab group. CONCLUSION: Significantly higher PASI75/90 response rates and more pronounced improvements in DLQI scores at week 16 were identified in patients treated with adalimumab, compared with methotrexate or placebo, regardless of baseline BMI category.

Impact of Generalized Pustular Psoriasis from the Perspective of People Living with the Condition: Results of an Online Survey.

BACKGROUND: Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare disease characterized by episodic worsening (flares). Knowledge of the burden of GPP and the experience of affected individuals is limited. AIMS: To conduct a survey of people living with GPP to understand how they experience GPP flares, which therapies they have received and are receiving, and how GPP impacts their activities of daily living. METHODS: The online survey consisted of 43 questions answered by individuals recruited from an opt-in market research database. The research team performed a targeted outreach to identify individuals with GPP. The survey included screening questions to determine if potential participants qualified for inclusion. Eligible individuals were US residents aged ≥ 18 years who self-reported that they had been diagnosed with GPP. Respondents provided consent to participate and received compensation (fair market value) for their time. RESULTS: Between August 4 and 14, 2020, 66 people living with GPP in the USA were surveyed. Most participants were female, aged 40-59 years, had been diagnosed ≥ 1 year previously, and had experienced ≥ 2 flares in the past year. A substantial proportion of respondents had symptoms for years, had consulted multiple healthcare professionals, and experienced misdiagnoses before receiving a diagnosis of GPP. Emotional stress was the most common cause of flares and many respondents reported a fear of flares. Respondents defined flares by the presence of itching, an increase in the size of the affected area, more crusts or pustules, and fatigue. A change in mood was the most burdensome symptom. Most respondents were receiving topical corticosteroids and only approximately one-third felt their condition was well controlled. GPP had an impact on activities of daily living even in the absence of flares and many respondents felt that their physician did not understand the level of emotional, psychological, or physical pain caused by GPP. CONCLUSIONS: GPP imposes a substantial emotional burden on patients, with wide-ranging impacts on activities of daily living beyond the physical discomfort of skin lesions.

Understanding Flares in Patients With Generalized Pustular Psoriasis Documented in US Electronic Health Records.

Importance: Other than single-center case studies, little is known about generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) flares. Objective: To assess GPP flares and their treatment, as well as differences between patients with and patients without flares documented in US electronic health records (EHRs). Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study included adult patients with GPP (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision code L40.1) identified in Optum deidentified EHR data between July 1, 2015, and June 30, 2020. The index GPP diagnosis was the first occurrence in the EHR, with no coded history of GPP for at least 6 months prior. Flare episodes were identified using an algorithm based on diagnosis coding, care setting, type of clinician, GPP disease terms, and flare terms and attributes in the EHR. Main Outcomes and Measures: Flare episodes were characterized by the frequency of occurrence per patient, the care setting in which they were identified, the type of specialist managing the episode, associated symptoms, and the type of treatment before, during, and after the episode. Patients were divided into groups based on whether or not they had a flare episode documented in their EHR. Comparisons were made between the groups based on demographic characteristics, comorbidity burden, health care use, and treatments. Results: Of 1535 patients with GPP (1018 women [66.3%]; mean [SD] age, 53.4 [14.7] years), 271 had 513 flares documented. Compared with patients without flares, patients with flares had a 34% higher mean (SD) Charlson Comorbidity Index score (2.80 [3.11] vs 2.09 [2.52]), were almost 3 times more likely to have inpatient visits (119 of 271 [44%] vs 194 of 1264 [15%]), were more than twice as likely to have emergency department (ED) visits (126 of 271 [47%] vs 299 of 1264 [24%]), and had higher use of almost all treatment classes. Flares were identified in outpatient (271 of 513 [53%]), inpatient (186 of 513 [36%]), and ED (48 of 513 [9%]) settings. The most common treatments during flares were topical corticosteroids (35% of episodes [178 of 513]), opioids (21% [106 of 513]), other oral treatments, (eg, methotrexate, cyclosporine, tacrolimus; 13% [67 of 513]), and oral corticosteroids (11% [54 of 513]). Almost one-fourth of flare episodes (24% [122 of 513]) had no dermatologic treatment 30 days before, during, or 30 days after a flare episode. Conclusions and Relevance: This cohort study suggests that there is significant unmet need for the treatment of GPP and its flares, as evidenced by patients seeking treatment in inpatient and ED settings, as well as the lack of advanced treatments.

Economic burden of generalized pustular psoriasis and palmoplantar pustulosis in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and economic burden of generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) and palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) in a commercially insured population the United States (US). METHODS: Adult patients with a GPP or PPP diagnosis were identified between April 1, 2016 and August 1, 2019 in the IQVIA PharMetrics Plus database. Patients required continuous enrollment in medical and pharmacy benefits 6 months before and ≥2 months after the index diagnosis. GPP and PPP cohorts were exactly matched 1:3 on demographics and index date to a plaque psoriasis and a control cohort of the general population. All-cause HCRU and cost measures (direct medical and pharmacy) were reported as per patient per month (PPPM). Generalized linear models estimated adjusted cost ratios between matched cohorts, controlling for comorbidities. RESULTS: HCRU was high among GPP and PPP patients. Rates of inpatient visits were 4 times higher in GPP patients and 2 times higher in PPP patients compared to their matched cohorts. GPP patients experienced significantly higher total healthcare costs compared to matched cohorts (GPP vs plaque psoriasis: cost ratio 1.36, 95% confidence interval (1.22, 1.50); GPP vs control: 5.58 (3.73, 8.36)). PPP patients had significantly higher total healthcare costs compared to the general population (4.11 (3.31, 5.11)), while costs were comparable to plaque psoriasis patients (1.06 (0.97, 1.16)). CONCLUSIONS: GPP and PPP patients have significant economic burden due to higher direct medical and pharmacy costs. Further investigation is needed to better understand the drivers of economic burden in patients with GPP and PPP, and how HCRU and costs are impacted by disease severity.

Characteristics of hospitalizations and emergency department visits due to generalized pustular psoriasis in the United States.

OBJECTIVES: Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare and severe, inflammatory skin disease. GPP is characterized by recurrent flares that consist of disseminated erythematous skin rash with sterile neutrophil-filled pustules that can result in an emergency department (ED) visit or hospital stay due to systemic complications. This study characterizes hospitalizations, ED visits, and inpatient treatment due to GPP in the United States (US). METHODS: A descriptive, retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted in Cerner Health Facts, a US electronic medical record database. Hospitalizations and ED visits were identified between 1 October 2015 and 1 July 2017. Visits were included in the study if they were GPP-related, defined as a GPP diagnosis (ICD-10-CM code: L40.1) in the first or second position at admission or discharge, and if the discharge date was within the study period. Hospitalizations and ED visits were the units of analysis. Demographics, comorbidities, medication use, and outcomes were characterized with descriptive statistics. Outcomes included length of stay, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and death. RESULTS: A total of 71 GPP-related hospitalizations and 64 GPP-related ED visits were included in the study. Other specified inflammatory skin conditions (OSICS)/skin and subcutaneous tissue infections (54%/34%), fluid and electrolyte disorders (46%), hypertension (30%), septicemia (24%), and acute renal failure (18%) were the most frequently coded conditions accompanying a GPP-related hospitalization. OSICS/skin and subcutaneous tissue infections (47%/42%) were the most commonly coded conditions accompanying a GPP-related ED visit. Medication use during GPP-related hospitalizations included topicals (triamcinolone (42%); clobetasol (17%)), systemic corticosteroids (prednisone (20%); methylprednisolone (11%)), and non-biologic and biologic immunosuppressants (cyclosporine (6%); methotrexate (4%); etanercept (1%)). Analgesics (acetaminophen 67%; morphine 24%), and antibiotics (vancomycin 21%) were also common. The median length of stay for hospitalizations was 5 days. Three hospitalizations included an ICU admission and two hospitalizations resulted in death. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of concurrent immune-mediated conditions, and frequent prescribing of analgesics, including opioids, illustrate the burden of GPP in patients requiring acute and inpatient care.

Unmet Medical Needs in the Treatment and Management of Generalized Pustular Psoriasis Flares: Evidence from a Survey of Corrona Registry Dermatologists.

INTRODUCTION: Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare, severe, and potentially life-threatening systemic and chronic autoinflammatory disease characterized by sterile, neutrophilic pustules. The standard of care for GPP varies by region, with limited information and experience of flares and their treatment. Our aim was to establish current unmet needs in GPP by better understanding the natural history of GPP, examining how dermatologists diagnose GPP and GPP flares, and establishing the range and adequacy of GPP treatment options currently prescribed by dermatologists. METHODS: Eligible dermatologists (N = 29) completed a 28-question structured survey, covering ten themes, ranging from GPP diagnostic criteria to GPP symptoms and treatment. RESULTS: All dermatologists stated that pustules were necessary to diagnose a GPP flare. The most frequently reported triggering factors for GPP were steroid withdrawal (64%), infection (58%), and stress (50%). Most dermatologists indicated that available treatment options for GPP flares were adequate "most" (79%) or "all" (14%) of the time. Despite this reported adequacy, 38% of dermatologists reported that it was at least "somewhat common" for a flare to require hospitalization. Furthermore, 72% of dermatologists indicated that treatments were too slow to control flares, and 66% indicated that treatments did not adequately prevent new flares at least "sometimes". CONCLUSION: This survey suggests that there are key features of GPP flares, and could initiate discussion around forming consensus guidelines for diagnosis and management. While the results suggest that moderately effective therapies may exist, the need for GPP-specific treatments remains.

Safety of Adalimumab Dosed Every Week and Every Other Week: Focus on Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa or Psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Adalimumab is approved for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), plaque psoriasis, and other inflammatory conditions. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to examine the safety of adalimumab administered every other week (EOW) and every week (EW) in patients with HS and psoriasis and to investigate informative data from non-dermatologic indications. METHODS: The safety of adalimumab 40-mg EOW versus EW dosing was examined during placebo-controlled and open-label study periods in patients with HS (three studies), psoriasis (two studies), Crohn's disease (six studies), ulcerative colitis (three studies), and rheumatoid arthritis (one study). RESULTS: No new safety risks or increased rates of particular adverse events (AEs) were identified with EW dosing. In patients with HS or psoriasis, the overall safety of adalimumab 40-mg EOW and EW was generally comparable. In studies of adalimumab for non-dermatologic indications, including Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and rheumatoid arthritis, the overall AE rates were similar for EW and EOW dosing. CONCLUSION: In patients with HS or psoriasis, the safety of adalimumab EW and EOW was comparable and consistent with the expected adalimumab AE profile. The safety of adalimumab EW dosing in patients with dermatologic conditions is supported by data comparing adalimumab EW and EOW dosing for Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and rheumatoid arthritis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00918255, NCT01468207, NCT01468233, NCT00645814, NCT00077779, NCT00055497, NCT01070303, NCT00195715, NCT00348283, NCT00385736, NCT00408629, and NCT00573794.

Long-Term Safety and Effectiveness of Adalimumab for Moderate to Severe Psoriasis: Results from 7-Year Interim Analysis of the ESPRIT Registry.

INTRODUCTION: ESPRIT (NCT00799877) is an ongoing 10-year international prospective observational registry evaluating the long-term safety and effectiveness of originator adalimumab in routine clinical practice for adult patients with chronic plaque psoriasis. Herein, we report the long-term safety, effectiveness, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) following adalimumab treatment over the first 7 years of the ESPRIT registry. METHODS: All treatment-emergent (All-TE) adverse events (AE) since the initial (first ever) dose of adalimumab were assessed. Physician Global Assessment (PGA) and PROs (PROs for US patients only) were evaluated during registry participation. RESULTS: As of 30 November 2015, 6051 patients in the ESPRIT registry were analyzed, representing 23,660.1 patient-years (PY) of overall adalimumab exposure. The incidence rates for All-TE serious AEs, serious infections, and malignancies were 4.4, 1.0, and 1.0 events per 100 PY (E/100PY), respectively. The standardized mortality ratio for TE deaths in the registry was 0.27 (95% CI 0.18-0.38). During the registry's first 7 years, PGA "clear" or "minimal" was achieved by >50% of patients at each annual visit, and among US patients, the mean improvement from baseline in different PROs was maintained. CONCLUSION: No new safety signals were identified during the first 7 years of the registry, and safety was consistent with the known safety profile of adalimumab. The number of TE deaths was below the expected rate. During the registry's first 7 years, most of the patients remained free of All-TE cardiovascular events, serious infections, and malignancy. As-observed effectiveness of adalimumab and improvements from baseline in PROs were maintained through 7 years of registry participation. FUNDING: Abbvie. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT00799877.

Adalimumab Efficacy in Patients with Psoriasis Who Received or Did Not Respond to Prior Systemic Therapy: A Pooled Post Hoc Analysis of Results from Three Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials.

INTRODUCTION: There are limited data from randomized controlled clinical trials on the outcomes of biologics after discontinuation of a different systemic therapy. To determine the efficacy of adalimumab in patients who previously received systemic therapy (including failed therapy), we performed a pooled post hoc analysis of Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) response data from three double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. METHODS: Patients from the M02-528, REVEAL, and CHAMPION studies who were previously exposed to systemic treatment were categorized based on their response. The efficacy of adalimumab compared with placebo was analyzed at the end of the double-blind treatment period for the overall pooled intent-to-treat population (N = 1469) and subgroups that received (n = 780) or did not respond to (n = 229) previous systemic pretreatments. RESULTS: Rates for an improvement of ≥75% from baseline in the PASI score (PASI75 response) were significantly greater (p < 0.001) at week 16 in patients treated with adalimumab compared with patients who received placebo in the overall (72.1 vs. 8.0%, respectively), previously treated (72.7 vs. 8.5%), and previously failed treatment (70.4 vs. 8.1%) groups. PASI75 response rates were similar in the overall group and in patients who did not respond to methotrexate, cyclosporine, or psoralen plus ultraviolet A therapy. Improvements of ≥90 or ≥100 % from baseline PASI score were also higher with adalimumab vs. placebo in previously treated patients. Adverse events were similar among subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Adalimumab was efficacious for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis regardless of prior exposure to systemic therapies or failure of those prior therapies. CLINICALTRIALS. GOV IDENTIFIERS: NCT00645814, NCT00237887, NCT00235820.

Psoriasis as autoinflammatory disease.

This article presents a summary of the evidence for a link between autoinflammatory diseases and psoriasis. The main concepts regarding the disease state of psoriasis are discussed and these lead to a change in the perspective on the clinical and pathophysiologic nature of psoriasis as a chronic, recurrent disease with important genetically defined features, and an associated or concomitant systemic inflammatory state that involves a multifactorial cellular and molecular network, transforming the old perception of psoriasis as a localized autoimmune skin disease, to one of psoriasis as a systemic inflammatory disease with autoinflammatory features and severe associated comorbid conditions.

Role of interleukin 1 in atopic dermatitis.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a potent inflammatory cytokine that plays a central role in the innate immune response. IL-1 mediates the acute phase of inflammation by inducing local and systemic responses, such as pain sensitivity, fever, vasodilation, and hypotension. It also promotes the expression of adhesion molecules on endothelial cells, which allows the infiltration of inflammatory and immunocompetent cells into the tissues. The release of IL-1 from the epidermis after activation is a primary event that promotes inflammatory skin conditions through the induction of various cytokines, proinflammatory mediators, and adhesion molecules.

Adalimumab for treatment of moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis of the hands and feet: efficacy and safety results from REACH, a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy, safety, and sustainability of response to adalimumab therapy for moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis involving hands and/or feet. DESIGN: Sixteen-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of adalimumab therapy for moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis involving the hands and/or feet with a 12-week open-label extension (Randomized Controlled Evaluation of Adalimumab in Treatment of Chronic Plaque Psoriasis of the Hands and Feet [REACH]). SETTING: Multicenter outpatient study in the United States and Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with chronic plaque psoriasis on the hands and/or feet with a Physician's Global Assessment of hands and/or feet (hfPGA) score of "moderate" or above. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomized 2:1 to adalimumab (80 mg at week 0, then 40 mg every other week starting at week 1) or to matching placebo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Percentage of patients achieving an hfPGA score of "clear" or "almost clear" at week 16. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients (adalimumab [n = 49];placebo [n = 23]) were evaluated. Baseline percentages of patients with moderate and severe hfPGA scores were 76% and 24%, respectively, for the adalimumab group and 74% and 26%, respectively, for the placebo group. At week 16, 31% and 4% of patients randomized to adalimumab and placebo, respectively, achieved an hfPGA score of clear or almost clear (P = .01). At week 28, 80% of the hfPGA clear or almost clear response was maintained from week 16 (25% for patients randomized to adalimumab). Adverse events in both groups were generally mild to moderate. In both periods combined, nasopharyngitis (27% and 13% for adalimumab- and placebo-treated patients, respectively) was most frequently reported. CONCLUSION: Adalimumab is efficacious and well tolerated for treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis of hands and/or feet, with efficacy largely maintained to 28 weeks. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00735787.