Apremilast for the management of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by erythematous plaques on extensor surfaces, scalp, and back. Current therapies for psoriasis are limited by route of administration, side effects, and cost. Apremilast is the first oral phosphodiesterase inhibitor approved for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. It is a small molecule inhibitor of phosphodiesterase-4, and decreases the inflammatory activity associated with psoriasis.

Areas covered: This review will discuss the pharmacology of apremilast, mechanism of action, results from key clinical trials, and its use in managing psoriasis. Currently approved treatments are also discussed.

Expert commentary: The advantages of apremilast include convenient oral administration and dosing, a favorable safety and tolerability profile, and significant efficacy in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

KEYWORDS:

• Apremilast
• phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor
• immunomodulatory
• cytokine
• psoriasis

Declaration of interest

A Alikhan has served as a speaker and principal investigator for Celgene. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.