Efficacy and safety of apremilast in patients with moderate-to-severe genital psoriasis

According to a recent study, apremilast showed clinically significant genital Physician Global Assessment responses, along with improvements in signs, symptoms, severity, and quality of life for patients with genital psoriasis. The findings of the study were published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

In the phase 3 DISCREET trial, patients with moderate-to-severe genital psoriasis were randomly assigned to receive either apremilast (n = 143) or a placebo (n = 146)  for a 16-week period, with stratification based on affected body surface area (<10% or ≥10%). Subsequently, there was an extension phase with apremilast.

At Week 16, 39.6% of patients receiving apremilast and 19.5% of those on placebo attained a modified static Physician Global Assessment of Genitalia response (with a score of 0/1, ≥2-point reduction). The treatment difference was statistically significant (20.1%). Improved changes were observed in genital signs and symptoms, skin condition, and quality of life. Common treatment-emergent adverse events included diarrhea, nausea, headache, and nasopharyngitis.

Based on the above results, it can be concluded that apremilast resulted in statistically significant improvements in genital Physician Global Assessment responses, as well as improvement of symptoms, severity, and overall quality of life.