A randomized study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adding topical therapy to etanercept in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Few clinical trials have evaluated the combination of topical corticosteroids plus systemic therapies for psoriasis.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate efficacy and safety of etanercept plus topical clobetasol propionate (CP) foam versus etanercept monotherapy for treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

METHODS: Adults with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score greater than or equal to 10 and psoriasis-affected body surface area greater than or equal to 10% were randomized to etanercept with CP as needed to clear (2 up-to-2-week courses, weeks 11-12 and 23-24) or etanercept alone (each arm at 50 mg twice weekly for 12 weeks followed by 50 mg once weekly for 12 weeks).

RESULTS: A total of 592 patients enrolled (295 etanercept + CP arm; 297 etanercept arm). At week 12, significant differences were observed for response of 75% improvement in PASI score (primary end point, 65.2% vs 48.3% in the etanercept + CP vs etanercept arms, respectively; P < .001), response of 90% improvement in PASI score (29.7% vs 19.4%; P = .009), percentage PASI score improvement (76.5% vs 68.2%; P < .001), static physician global assessment of clear/almost clear (63.1% vs 47.3%; P < .001), and patient satisfaction with treatment (P = .006). Response of 75% improvement in PASI score and static physician global assessment of clear/almost clear were not significantly different between arms at week 24. Patient satisfaction with treatment (P = .001) and percentage improvement in PASI score (P = .031) were also greater in the etanercept + CP arm compared with etanercept only at week 24. Comparable numbers of adverse events occurred in each arm.

LIMITATIONS: No placebo for CP foam was provided in the etanercept arm.

CONCLUSIONS: Addition of CP to etanercept yielded increased efficacy compared with etanercept alone at week 12 without an increase in treatment-related adverse events.