Infliximab monotherapy provides rapid and sustained benefit for plaque-type psoriasis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Effective, rapid-acting, safe therapies are needed for the long-term treatment of psoriasis.

OBJECTIVE:

We sought to evaluate infliximab monotherapy in maintaining clinical benefit in psoriasis.

METHODS:

A total of 33 patients received 3 doses of 5 or 10 mg/kg of infliximab or placebo at weeks 0, 2, and 6 (double-blind phase). During the open-label phase (weeks 10-26), responding patients were evaluated for relapse (loss of at least half of the improvement in the Psoriasis Area Severity Index score at week 10) and retreated with open-label infliximab (5 or 10 mg/kg) as needed. Placebo nonresponders were treated with an induction regimen of infliximab (5 or 10 mg/kg) and followed up through week 26.

RESULTS:

In all, 29 patients received either 5 or 10 mg/kg of infliximab in the open-label extension. At week 26, psoriasis area severity index response was maintained in 40% and 73% of patients receiving 5 and 10 mg/kg of infliximab, respectively.

CONCLUSION:

Infliximab produced a rapid, effective, and sustainable (through week 26) effect in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis.

• Authors: Alice B Gottlieb, Umesh Chaudhari, Lisa D Mulcahy, Shu Li, Lisa T Dooley, Daniel G Baker
• Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (J Am Acad Dermatol) Vol. 48 Issue 6 Pg. 829-35 (Jun 2003) ISSN: 0190-9622 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12789171 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Dermatologic Agents
• Infliximab

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (administration & dosage, adverse effects, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)
• Dermatologic Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Infliximab
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Psoriasis (drug therapy)