Background: Tumor necrosis factor is pivotal in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Adalimumab is a fully human monoclonal immunoglobulin G1 antibody that neutralizes tumor necrosis factor.
Objectives: We sought to assess the efficacy and safety of adalimumab in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
Methods: In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 147 patients received adalimumab (40 mg every other week or 40 mg/wk) or placebo. After 12 weeks of blinded therapy, patients taking adalimumab could continue their assigned dosages in a 48-week extension trial; patients taking placebo were switched to adalimumab (40 mg every other week).
Results: At week 12, 53% of patients taking adalimumab every other week, 80% of patients taking adalimumab weekly, and 4% of patients taking placebo achieved 75% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score (P < .001). Responses were sustained for 60 weeks. No new safety signals were noted compared with the existing adalimumab clinical safety database.
Limitations: The study was insufficiently powered to detect rare adverse events associated with adalimumab.
Conclusions: Adalimumab significantly improved psoriasis and was well tolerated for 60 weeks.