SAT0562 Long-Term (104-Week) Efficacy and Safety of Apremilast Monotherapy in Dmard-Naïve Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis: A Phase 3, Randomized, Controlled Trial and Open-Label Extension (Palace 4)

What does evidence-based medicine tell us about treatments for different subtypes of psoriatic arthritis? A systematic literature review on randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

PsA is a heterogeneous disease with various subtypes of joint manifestations, which can affect the homogeneity of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The aim of this systematic literature review was to evaluate the inclusion criteria, demographics and outcomes of RCTs to see whether the whole spectrum of PsA was represented.

METHODS

Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were screened for RCTs on the efficacy of any treatment for PsA up to 4 October 2016 to investigate the inclusion criteria, demographics, outcomes and efficacy.

RESULTS

Two thousand and sixty-eight abstracts were identified at screening; 76 articles and 52 conference proceedings were included in the final analysis. The main inclusion criteria always included the number of active joints and never axial symptoms, enthesitis nor dactylitis. Only 10 studies provided information about subtypes, of which symmetrical polyarthritis was the main subtype. Mean (s.d.) tender and swollen joints were between 7.8 and 35.8 (1.8-22.1) and between 5.2 and 25.2 (1.5-16.2), respectively. All studies had responses in joint counts as their primary outcome. Responses in enthesitis and dactylitis were usually secondary or tertiary outcomes. Response in BASDAI was among the outcomes in four studies. The comparison of efficacy in polyarticular vs oligoarticular disease was given in three studies, whereas no information was available for DIP joint disease or arthritis mutilans.

CONCLUSION

There is evidence in the literature to guide clinicians on how to treat PsA patients with polyarticular disease, but there is a gap in knowledge about the other subtypes.

PROTOCOL REGISTRATION

The study protocol is registered at PROSPERO (CRD42017053907).

Apremilast in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis: a perspective review

Apremilast is an orally-active small molecule which inhibits phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4). Clinical trials have demonstrated its efficacy and safety in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and psoriasis. Established therapeutic options have variable effectiveness across the different domains of psoriatic disease. Whilst biologic therapies have proven to be of significant benefit to many patients, not all patients respond, and others are not eligible or do not tolerate biologic therapy. We review the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics and clinical trial data with regards to both efficacy and safety for apremilast and consider where this new treatment may be positioned in the treatment of PsA.

Targeted therapies: what they teach us about the pathogenesis of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

INTRODUCTION

Biologic therapy has revolutionized treatment pathways in psoriatic joint and skin disease. It has also provided a useful tool with which pathological pathways of this condition may be explored. Areas covered: This review presents data on the clinical and biological effects of targeted therapy in psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis. Therapeutic agents covered include inhibitors of TNFα, inhibitors of the IL-23/IL-17 axis and inhibitors of intracellular small molecules involved in the transduction of the inflammatory signal. Trial data on clinical and imaging efficacy is reviewed in parallel with studies on biological effects at tissue level. Pathological insights gained from the use of these treatments are explored. Expert commentary: A close relationship exists between specific pathological types and clinical manifestations of psoriatic disease, including responses to treatment. Studying these relationships is likely to improve understanding of disease and enable rational selection of specific treatments for patients with specific pathotypes.