Psoriatic patients with a history of cancer: A real-life experience with Apremilast treatment for 104 weeks

Dermatol Ther. 2022 Oct;35(10):e15306. doi: 10.1111/dth.15306. Epub 2022 Aug 12.

Abstract

Psoriasis is a multifactorial, chronic, auto- inflammatory disease, with a worldwide prevalence of around 2%, subtended by robust genetic predisposition and autoimmune pathogenic traits. The disease, mainly involving the skin and joints, is featured by erythemato-squamous lesions, with a chronic relapsing course and relevant systemic comorbidities. Apremilast is a novel oral agent that has recently been made available to dermatologists for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Although it is considered as relatively safe molecule with few contraindications, experience with Apremilast in the real-world setting for cancer patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis is lacking. Hence, we report the real-life experience in patients with psoriasis and a history of cancer who underwent treatment with Apremilast for 104 weeks.

Keywords: Apremilast; oncological disease; psoriasis; psoriatic arthritis; treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Arthritis, Psoriatic* / drug therapy
  • Chronic Disease
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Psoriasis* / pathology
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Thalidomide / adverse effects
  • Thalidomide / analogs & derivatives
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Thalidomide
  • apremilast