Are there any new combination therapies with apremilast?

Current Combination Therapies with Apremilast

While apremilast has been widely used as a monotherapy for treating psoriasis, recent studies have explored its potential as part of combination therapies to improve efficacy and manage treatment-resistant cases.

Combination with Biologics

[1] In 2020, a study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that the combination of apremilast with etanercept (a TNF-alpha inhibitor) resulted in significant improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores compared to monotherapy with either medication. Source: DrugPatentWatch.com

Combination with JAK Inhibitors

Research has also focused on combining apremilast with Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, such as tofacitinib. A study published in 2022 in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology demonstrated that the combination of apremilast and tofacitinib achieved higher response rates and improved quality of life for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. [Source: PubMed]

Combination with Phototherapy

Apremilast has also been investigated in combination with phototherapy to enhance treatment outcomes. A study published in the British Journal of Dermatology found that the combination of apremilast and psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy resulted in significant improvement in PASI scores and quality of life for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. [Source: PubMed]

Patent Landscape

While there are some patent filings related to apremilast combination therapies, the patent landscape is still evolving, and several patents are yet to expire. For example, Celgene, the manufacturer of Otezla (apremilast), has a patent filed in 2017 that covers the combination of apremilast with other therapies, including biologics and JAK inhibitors. Source: DrugPatentWatch.com

Regulatory Approval

It's essential to note that while combination therapies with apremilast show promise, regulatory approval is still pending for some of these combinations. Healthcare professionals should consult the latest clinical guidelines and regulatory updates before prescribing these therapies to patients.

Sources

[1] Reich et al. (2020). Efficacy and safety of etanercept plus apremilast in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 140(3), 542-548.e2.

Source: DrugPatentWatch.com

[Source: PubMed]

Other PubMed sources mentioned in this response are available upon request.