An integrated analysis of data from three randomized, placebo-controlled trials showed that Remicade® (infliximab) produced nearly complete skin clearance on the head, trunk, lower and upper extremities, Alan Menter, MD, reported at the 66th annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.1
“This analysis shows that treatment with Remicade resulted in a consistently high level of clinical response in each quadrant of the body evaluated by PASI [Psoriasis Area Severity Index], and the results were consistent with patients’ overall psoriasis improvement. Remicade remains an important advancement and biologic treatment option for a broad spectrum of patients with severe psoriasis,” said Dr. Menter, dermatologist at Baylor Research Institute in Dallas, Texas.
The analysis included data from the SPIRIT (Study of Psoriasis with Infliximab [Remicade] Induction Therapy), EXPRESS (European Infliximab for Psoriasis [Remicade] Efficacy and Safety Study), and EXPRESS II (Evaluation of Infliximab for Psoriasis in a [Remicade] Efficacy and Safety Study) clinical trials, which together comprised 1462 patients.
According to the combined datasets, at week 10 of treatment
71% of patients receiving infliximab 3 mg/kg achieved 75% improvement in psoriasis (PASI 75), vs 3% of patients receiving placebo (P <.001)
79% of patients receiving infliximab 5 mg/kg achieved PASI 75 vs 3% of patients receiving placebo (P <.001)
39% of patients receiving 3 mg/kg achieved nearly complete skin clearance (PASI 90) vs 1% with placebo (P <.001)
52% of patients receiving 5 mg/kg achieved PASI 90 vs 1% with placebo (P <.001)
In September 2006, the US FDA approved infliximab 5 mg/kg for the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis. Following a 3-infusion induction regimen, the drug is given once every 8 weeks.
Head and neck-related psoriasis in patients treated with the 5 mg/kg dose improved by at least 90% in 69% of SPIRIT patients, 73% of EXPRESS patients, and 67% of EXPRESS II patients versus 12%, 8%, 5% of placebo patients, respectively.
Trunk psoriasis in patients treated with infliximab 5 mg/kg improved by at least 90% in 66% of SPIRIT patients, 72% in EXPRESS patients, and 59% of EXPRESS II patients versus 4%, 1%, 4% of placebo patients, respectively.
Psoriasis of the upper extremities in patients treated with infliximab 5 mg/kg improved by at least 90% in 49% of SPIRIT patients, 56% of EXPRESS patients, and 46% of EXPRESS II patients, versus 2%, 1%, 0.5% with placebo.
Reference
1. Menter A. American Academy of Dermatology Meeting; February 1, 2008; San Antonio, Tex. Oral presentation.
Yep, Remicade was a lot better than Embrel. I think my Embrel shot is full of water!
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com