Clinical effectiveness and safety experience with efalizumab in the treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in Taiwan: Results of an open-label, single-arm pilot study
Journal
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
Journal Volume
22
Journal Issue
3
Pages
345-352
Date Issued
2008
Author(s)
Abstract
Background: No clinical trial of efalizumab has been conducted in Asia. Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety of efalizumab in Taiwanese patients with psoriasis. Methods: This is an open-label, single-arm pilot study conducted at two centres. Patients were given 1.mg/kg efalizumab subcutaneously once a week for 12.weeks and were then followed up for a further 12.weeks. Results: A total of 49 patients participated in the study. The median improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) during the treatment period was 19.6%, and a.? 50% improvement in PASI was seen in 20.4%. Rebound was seen in 17.8% of patients, and anti-efalizumab antibodies were detected in 41% of patients. The most frequent adverse events were headache (34.7%), arthralgia/arthritis (28.6%), psoriasis events (new form/exacerbation; 26.5%) and pruritus (22.4%). Conclusions: This small pilot study indicated that efalizumab was effective in improving psoriasis symptoms in Taiwanese patients, with no new safety issues identified. ? 2007 The Authors Journal compilation ? 2007 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.
SDGs
Other Subjects
antinuclear antibody; calcipotriol; corticosteroid; cyclosporin; efalizumab; emollient agent; etanercept; etretin; hydrocortisone; methotrexate; salicylic acid; tar; adult; aged; anemia; antibody detection; antibody production; arthralgia; arthritis; arthropathy; article; backache; basophil; clinical effectiveness; cold sensitivity; controlled study; dermatitis; disease severity; drug fever; drug induced headache; drug safety; female; human; insomnia; larynx pain; leukocyte; leukocytosis; loading drug dose; lymphocyte count; major clinical study; malaise; male; myalgia; neutrophil count; open study; pain; peripheral edema; pilot study; priority journal; pruritus; psoriasis; rebound; side effect; skin pain; Taiwan; upper respiratory tract infection; Adult; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Tolerance; Drug Toxicity; Female; Humans; Injections, Subcutaneous; Male; Middle Aged; Pilot Projects; Psoriasis; Severity of Illness Index; Taiwan; Treatment Outcome
Type
journal article