An open-label pilot study of apremilast for the treatment of moderate to severe lichen planus: a case series.
J Am Acad Dermatol
; 68(2): 255-61, 2013 Feb.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22910104
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Current treatments for chronic lichen planus (LP) are often ineffective and may have significant adverse side effects. An alternative safe and effective treatment for recalcitrant LP is needed.OBJECTIVES:
We sought to study the safety and efficacy of apremilast in the treatment of moderate to severe LP.METHODS:
Ten patients with biopsy-proven LP received 20 mg of apremilast orally twice daily for 12 weeks with 4 weeks of treatment-free follow-up. The primary efficacy end point was the proportion of patients achieving a 2-grade or more improvement in the Physician Global Assessment (PGA) after 12 weeks of treatment.RESULTS:
Three (30%) of the 10 patients achieved a 2-grade or more improvement in the PGA after 12 weeks of treatment; however, all patients demonstrated statistically significant clinical improvement with respect to secondary parameters between baseline and the end of treatment.LIMITATIONS:
It may be difficult to generalize the results of this study to a larger patient population with LP because of our small sample size and lack of a control group. In addition, a longer treatment period or higher dose may have been needed for therapeutic efficacy. The safety and efficacy of long-term apremilast therapy is currently unknown.CONCLUSION:
Apremilast may be efficacious in the treatment of LP, but double-blinded, controlled trials are necessary to thoroughly evaluate its safety and efficacy.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Talidomida
/
Líquen Plano
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2013
Tipo de documento:
Article