Adalimumab in the treatment of moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis in patients switching from other biologics.

BACKGROUND: Ample evidence shows that switching from one biological agent to another may prove effective when response to the first one is inadequate. Nevertheless, there are little data so far showing the efficacy and safety of adalimumab in patients with plaque psoriasis who previously received another biologic agent.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the 1-year effectiveness, safety and quality-of-life outcomes patients with psoriasis who had switched to adalimumab from other biologic therapies.

METHODS: Forty-two patients who participated in this Austrian multicenter study were treated with adalimumab over a 1-year period, after switching from efalizumab, infliximab or etanercept. Effectiveness was assessed using standardized tools for measurement of disease severity [Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI)] and quality of life [Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI)]. The study endpoints were evaluated using the all-treated population.

RESULTS: The mean percentage of improvement at the end of the study was 74.3% for PASI, 81.6% for DLQI and 83.6% for NAPSI, demonstrating a considerable benefit of treatment with adalimumab. The safety profile observed was consistent with previous clinical trials for adalimumab, and no new safety signals were observed.

CONCLUSION: Adalimumab therapy in patients with plaque psoriasis previously treated with other biologic agents demonstrates effectiveness, safety and improvement in quality of life.