J Drugs Dermatol
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Multicenter Study
Efficacy, tolerability, and pharmacodynamics of apremilast in recalcitrant plaque psoriasis: a phase II open-label study.
Apremilast, a small molecule specific inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4, works intracellularly to modulate pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators. This phase II, multicenter, open-label study evaluated the efficacy, tolerability, and pharmacodynamics of apremilast in patients with recalcitrant plaque psoriasis.
⋯ These results confirm apremilast's biological and clinical activity and support ongoing studies in psoriasis. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00521339. -
Comparative Study
Association between the type and length of tumor necrosis factor inhibitor therapy and myocardial infarction risk in patients with psoriasis.
We sought to assess whether the type of TNF inhibitor therapy (soluble receptor versus monoclonal antibody) has an effect on MI risk; and determine whether length of TNF inhibitor therapy has an effect on MI risk. ⋯ Treatment with etanercept, compared to treatment with topical agents, was associated with a significant decreased risk of MI in psoriasis patients. Treatment with monoclonal antibody and etanercept or monoclonal antibody, compared to treatment with topical agents, was associated with a non-significant decreased risk of MI risk in psoriasis patients. There were no statistically significant changes in risk of MI associated with length of TNF inhibitor treatment.
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Afamelanotide ([Nle4-D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH) is an analog of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone given as a subcutaneous injection. Afamelanotide is currently undergoing phase II and III trials in Europe and the US for skin diseases including vitiligo, erythropoietic protoporphyria, polymorphic light eruption and prevention of actinic keratoses in organ transplant recipients. ⋯ Currently, afamelanotide is already on the market in Italy and Switzerland for patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria. This paper will review the current literature on this promising compound.
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Erythema multiforme (EM) is an immune-mediated hypersensitivity reaction often related to viral infection or medications. Infection-induced EM is typically self-limited and commonly caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) or Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP); recurrent EM is almost always associated with HSV. We present a concise overview of diagnostic techniques for HSV and MP, as repeatedly elevated MP titers in our case led to a delayed diagnosis of HSV-induced EM.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A single-center, randomized double-blind, parallel-group study to examine the safety and efficacy of 3mg drospirenone/0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol compared with placebo in the treatment of moderate truncal acne vulgaris.
Acne is a common disease of the face, chest and back, initially triggered by androgens. 3mg Drospirenone (DRSP)/0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol (EE), an oral contraceptive and antiandrogen, has been effective in treatment studies of facial acne in women, but investigations on its efficacy for truncal acne are limited.
⋯ 3mg DRSP/ 0.02 mg EE is a safe and significantly effective treatment for moderate truncal acne.