A multicenter, open-label study of repeat courses of intramuscular alefacept in combination with other psoriasis therapies in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of multiple courses of alefacept in combination with traditional psoriasis therapy for the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis (CPP).

METHODS

Patients with CPP requiring systemic therapy were eligible for this study. Patients received up to three courses of intramuscular alefacept 15 mg once weekly for 12 weeks. One concomitant psoriasis therapy (topical agents, methotrexate, cyclosporine, systemic retinoids, or ultraviolet B [UVB]) per course was allowed. The extent of disease was determined using the 7-point Physician Global Assessment (PGA; scale ranging from 0 = clear to 6 = severe).

RESULTS

More than 73% of patients improved by > or = one PGA category and > or = 44% of patients improved by > or = two PGA categories across all concomitant treatments. Clinical responses tended to be greatest in patients who received alefacept plus UVB. The incidences of serious infections (< or =1%) and malignancies (< or =2%) were low across all courses and all combinations.

CONCLUSION

Multiple courses of alefacept appear to be well tolerated and demonstrate efficacy in patients with CPP when administered with other psoriasis therapies.