Apremilast in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis: results from the ESTEEM studies

Psoriasis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disease that often has a negative impact on daily functioning and quality of life. Although many treatment options are available, patients are often dissatisfied with their current disease management. Apremilast, an oral PDE4 inhibitor, was recently approved in multiple countries for the treatment of patients with active psoriatic arthritis and patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy. In Phase III pivotal clinical trials, apremilast demonstrated clinical efficacy and safety in the treatment of psoriasis as well as active psoriatic arthritis. Here, we discuss the clinical implications and future direction of psoriasis therapy, given the availability of a new oral treatment option.