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Apremilast as an Off-Label Therapeutic Agent
Marson, Justin Lebwohl, Mark
Marson, Justin
Lebwohl, Mark
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Journal Title
SKIN The Journal of Cutaneous Medicine
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Publication Date
2021-05-17
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Book Title
Publication Volume
5
Publication Issue
3
Publication Begin
203
Publication End
227
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Abstract
Objective: To review the literature regarding the efficacy and safety of off-label use of apremilast in combination therapies for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and for other currently off-label inflammatory dermatoses.
Methods: The Medline database was queried for all relevant articles published between 2014 and 2021 using exploded MeSH terms and keywords pertaining to the following themes: off-label, combination therapy, biologics, biologic therapy, methotrexate, and systemic psoriasis therapy. The Boolean term “AND” was used to find the intersection of these themes with the term “apremilast.”
Results: 8 case series and 6 case reports investigated the use of apremilast in combination therapy for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Addition of apremilast improved PASI scores by 31.8-77.4% among case series and 80-100% among case reports with adverse effects primarily consisting of gastrointestinal symptoms. 5 randomized-control trials (RCT), 9 open-label trials, 18 case series, and 30 case reports investigated the use of apremilast for off-label dermatoses. In RCTs, apremilast showed potential efficacy for atopic dermatitis and hidradenitis suppurativa. Open-label trials found apremilast efficacious for atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, chronic pruritus, cutaneous sarcoidosis, discoid lupus erythematosus, hidradenitis suppurativa, lichen planus, prurigo nodularis, rosacea, and vitiligo.
Limitations: Small sample size and short follow up duration for available randomized-control and open-label trials. Current data from case series/reports potentially limits generalizability of findings.
Conclusion: Apremilast's safety profile makes it a potential efficacious, non-biologic systemic agent for monotherapy and combination therapy for a wide range of inflammatory dermatoses.
Citation
Marson, J., & Lebwohl, M. (2021). Apremilast as an Off-Label Therapeutic Agent: A Comprehensive Review of Safety and Efficacy Data in the Literature for Combination Therapy and Inflammatory Dermatoses. SKIN The Journal of Cutaneous Medicine, 5(3), 203–227. DOI: 10.25251/skin.5.3.2