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CompletedNCT01194219ESTEEM 1Updated Mar 15, 2022Results posted

Study to Evaluate Safety and Effectiveness of Oral Apremilast (CC-10004) in Patients With Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis

A Phase 3 interventional study of Apremilast and Placebo in Plaque Psoriasis, sponsored by Amgen. Completed. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2022-03-15.

Sponsored by Amgen · Phase 3, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
844
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This study evaluated the effects of an called apremilast. Apremilast works by lowering some of the chemicals that affect psoriasis and therefore improves the symptoms of psoriasis. The purpose of this study was to test apremilast and compare its effects to placebo (an inactive substance which contains no medicine but is in the same form as the drug). This study was able to test for efficacy (improvement of signs and symptoms) and safety of apremilast in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis.

02

Conditions studied

  • Plaque Psoriasis

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Keywords

  • Plaque Psoriasis
03

In context

Psoriasis

1,899 studies on the registry are indexed under Psoriasis; 233 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 844 is above the median of 70 across 1,447 interventional studies indexed under Psoriasis.

Browse Psoriasis studies →

Lead sponsor

Amgen is the lead sponsor of 1,015 studies on the registry; 49 are open to participants now.

Of its 245 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 159 (65%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  1. Males or females, ≥ 18 years of age at the time of signing the informed consent document
  2. Diagnosis of chronic plaque psoriasis for at least 12 months prior to Screening

    a. Have moderate to severe plaque psoriasis at Screening and Baseline

  3. Must meet all laboratory criteria
  4. Females of childbearing potential (FCBP) must have a negative pregnancy test at Screening and Baseline. FCBP who engage in activity in which conception is possible must use 2 forms of contraception as described by the Study Doctor while on study medication and for at least 28 days after taking the last dose of study medication
  5. Male subjects (including those who have had a vasectomy) who engage in activity in which conception is possible must use barrier contraception (latex condom or any nonlatex condom NOT made out of natural [animal] membrane [eg, polyurethane]) while on study medication and for a least 28 days after the last dose of study medication.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Other than psoriasis, history of any clinically significant (as determined by the Investigator) or other major uncontrolled disease.

    .

  2. Pregnant or breast feeding
  3. History of allergy to any component of the study drug
  4. Hepatitis B surface antigen positive at Screening
  5. Anti-hepatitis C antibody positive at Screening
  6. Active tuberculosis (TB) or a history of incompletely treated TB
  7. Clinically significant abnormality on 12-Lead Electrocardiogram (ECG) at Screening
  8. Clinically significant abnormal chest x-ray
  9. History of positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or have congenital or acquired immunodeficiency
  10. Active substance abuse or a history of substance abuse within 6 months prior to Screening
  11. Bacterial infections requiring treatment with oral or injectable antibiotics, or significant viral or fungal infections, within 4 weeks of Screening
  12. Malignancy or history of malignancy (except for treated [ie, cured] basal cell or squamous cell in situ skin carcinomas and treated [ie, cured] cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [CIN] or carcinoma in situ of the cervix with no evidence of recurrence within the previous 5 years)
  13. Psoriasis flare or rebound within 4 weeks prior to Screening
  14. Evidence of skin conditions that would interfere with clinical assessments
  15. Topical therapy within 2 weeks of randomization
  16. Systemic therapy for psoriasis within 4 weeks prior to randomization
  17. Use of phototherapy within 4 weeks prior to randomization (ie, Ultraviolet B (UVB), psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA)
  18. Adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, or certolizumab pegol within 12 weeks prior to randomization
  19. Alefacept, briakinumab, or ustekinumab within 24 weeks prior to randomization
  20. Use of any investigational drug within 4 weeks prior to randomization
  21. Prolonged sun exposure or use of tanning booths or other ultraviolet (UV) light sources
  22. Prior treatment with apremilast
05

Study design

Phase
Phase 3
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Quadruple (Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
844 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Apremilast

    Subjects initially randomized to apremilast 30 mg twice a day, and who demonstrate a PASI 75 response at Week 32 will be randomized (1 to 1) to either continue to receive apremilast 30 mg ) BID or to receive placebo (until effect is lost). At the time effect is lost, subjects will be treated with apremilast 30 mg twice a day for the duration of their participation in the study.

    Drug: Apremilast · Drug: Placebo

  • Placebo comparator
    Placebo

    Subjects initially randomized to placebo, are assigned to apremilast 30 mg twice a day beginning at Week 16 for the duration of the subject's participation in the study.

    Drug: Apremilast · Drug: Placebo

  • Active comparator
    Apremilast 30 mg

    Apremilast 30 mg by mouth (PO) twice a day (BID). Participants initially randomized to apremilast 30 mg BID, and who were able to demonstrate a Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) -75 response at week 32 were randomized (1 to 1) to either apremilast 30 mg BID or oral placebo (until effect is lost). At relapse/loss of response to therapy prior to Week 52 (the time at which 75% improvement in PASI score compared to baseline was lost) or at Week 52, participants were re-treated with apremilast 30 mg BID for the duration of their participation in the study. Non-responders or partial responders (PASI response \<75) received additional topical therapies or phototherapy beginning at Week 32.

    Drug: Apremilast · Drug: Placebo · Drug: Topical treatments or phototherapy

Interventions

  • DrugApremilast

    Also known as: CC-10004, Otezla

  • DrugPlacebo

    Identical matching placebo

  • DrugTopical treatments or phototherapy

    At week 32, participants considered partial responders or non-responders had the option of adding topical therapies and/or phototherapy to their treatment regimen.

    Also known as: Corticosteroid creams, Light Therapy

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Percentage of Participants Who Achieved a 75% Improvement (Response) in the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI-75) at Week 16 From Baseline

    PASI-75 response is the percentage of participants who achieved at least a 75% reduction (improvement) from baseline in PASI score at Week 16. The improvement in PASI score was used as a measure of efficacy. The PASI was a measure of psoriatic disease severity taking into account qualitative lesion characteristics (erythema, thickness, and scaling) and degree of skin surface area involvement on defined anatomical regions. PASI scores range from 0 to 72, with higher scores reflecting greater disease severity. Erythema, thickness, and scaling are scored on a scale of 0 (none) to 4 (very severe) on 4 anatomic regions of the body: head, trunk, upper limbs, and lower limbs. Degree of involvement on each of the 4 anatomic regions is scored on a scale of 0 (no involvement) to 6 (90% to 100% involvement). The PASI score was set to missing if any severity score or degree of involvement is missing.

    Time frame: Baseline to Week 16

Secondary outcomes

  1. Percentage of Participants Who Achieved a Static Physician Global Assessment (sPGA) Score of Clear (0) or Almost Clear (1) With At Least 2 Points Reduction From Baseline

    The sPGA was a 5-point scale ranging from 0 (clear), 1 (almost clear), 2 (mild), 3 (moderate), to 4 (severe), incorporating an assessment of the severity of the three primary signs of the disease: erythema, scaling and plaque elevation. When making the assessment of overall severity, the Investigator factored in areas that have already been cleared (ie, have scores of 0) and did not just evaluate remaining lesions for severity, ie, the severity of each sign was averaged across all areas of involvement, including cleared lesions. In the event of different severities across disease signs, the sign that is the predominant feature of the disease should be used to help determine the sPGA score.

    Time frame: Baseline to Week 16

  2. Percent Change From Baseline in Percent of Affected Body Surface Area (BSA) at Week 16

    BSA was a measurement of involved skin. The overall BSA affected by psoriasis was estimated based on the palm area of the participant's hand (entire palmar surface or "handprint" including the fingers), which equates to approximately 1% of total body surface area. BSA percent change from baseline (Visit 2 Week 0) was determined at each visit of the study, which is calculated as 100\*(visit BSA - baseline BSA) / baseline BSA (%).

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 16

  3. Percent Change From Baseline in the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) Score at Week 16

    Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) scores range from 0 to 72, with higher scores reflecting greater disease severity. Erythema, thickness, and scaling are scored on a scale of 0 (none) to 4 (very severe) on 4 anatomic regions of the body: head, trunk, upper limbs, and lower limbs. Degree of involvement on each of the 4 anatomic regions is scored on a scale of 0 (no involvement) to 6 (90% to 100% involvement). The total qualitative score (sum of erythema, thickness, and scaling scores) is multiplied by the degree of involvement for each anatomic region and then multiplied by a constant. These values for each anatomic region are summed to yield the PASI score. The PASI score was set to missing if any severity score or degree of involvement is missing. PASI score percent change from baseline was calculated as 100\* (visit score - baseline score)/baseline score (%).

    Time frame: Baseline to Week 16

  4. Percentage of Participants Who Achieved a 50% Improvement (Response) in the PASI Score (PASI-50) at Week 16 From Baseline

    A participant was classified as having at least a 50% improvement in PASI score from baseline, which was equivalent to a percent change from baseline ranging from -100% to -50%. PASI score is based on an assessment of erythema (reddening), induration (plaque thickness), desquamation (scaling), and the percent area affected as observed on the day of examination.

    Time frame: Baseline to Week 16

  5. Change From Baseline in Pruritus Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Score at Week 16

    The Pruritus Visual Analog Scores (VAS) were used to measure the amount of itching and discomfort a participant experiences. Participant's Assessment of Pruritus (Itch) asked: On average, how much itch have you had because of your condition in the past week? All VAS values range from 0 to 100. Higher scores correspond to more severe symptom or disease. Change from baseline was calculated for the VAS scale, where change = visit value - baseline value.

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 16

  6. Change From Baseline in the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) Total Score at Week 16

    DLQI is a simple, compact, and practical questionnaire for use in a dermatology clinical setting to assess limitations related to the impact of skin disease. The instrument contains ten items dealing with the participant's skin. With the exception of Item Number 7, the participant responds on a four-point scale, ranging from "Very Much" (score 3) to "Not at All" or "Not relevant" (score 0). Item Number 7 is a multi-part item, the first part of which ascertains whether the participant's skin prevented them from working or studying (Yes or No, scores 3 or 0 respectively), and if "No," then the participant is asked how much of a problem the skin has been at work or study over the past week, with response alternatives being "A lot," "A little," or "Not at all" (scores 2, 1, or 0 respectively). The DLQI total score is derived by summing all item scores, which has a possible range of 0 to 30, with 30 corresponding to the worst quality of life, and 0 corresponding to the best.

    Time frame: Baseline to Week 16

  7. Change From Baseline in the Mental Component Summary (MSC) Score of the Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36-item (SF-36) Health Survey Version 2.0 at Week 16

    The SF-36 was a 36-item general health status instrument and consists of 8 scales: physical function (PF), role limitations-physical (RP), vitality (VT), general health perceptions (GH), bodily pain (BP), social function (SF), role limitations-emotional (RE), and mental health (MH). Scale scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better health. Two overall summary scores were obtained - a Physical Component Summary score (PCS) and a Mental Component Summary score (MCS). Scores from the 8 scales, PCS and MCS were transformed to the norm-based scores using weights from U.S. general population, with 50 as the average and 10 as the standard deviation, higher scores indicating better health. For norm based scores, change from baseline were calculated for the 8 scales and the two summary scales, where change = visit value - baseline value.

    Time frame: Baseline to Week 16

  8. Percentage of Participants Who Achieved Both a 75% Improvement (Response) in the PASI and sPGA Score of Clear (0) or Almost Clear (1) With at Least 2 Points Reduction at Week 16 From Baseline

    PASI-75 response was the percentage of participants who achieved at least a 75% reduction (improvement) from baseline in PASI score at Week 16. The improvement in PASI score was used as a measure of efficacy. See Outcome Measure #1 for further description. sPGA is a 5-point scale ranging from 0 (clear), 1 (almost clear), 2 (mild), 3 (moderate), to 4 (severe), incorporating an assessment of the severity of the three primary signs of the disease: erythema, scaling and plaque elevation. See OCM #2 for further description.

    Time frame: Baseline to Week 16

  9. Kaplan Meier Estimate of Time to Loss of PASI-75 Response (Loss of Effect) at Week 32 During the Re-Randomized Treatment Withdrawal Phase

    Time to loss was the time between the re-randomization date and the date of the first assessment where loss of PASI-75 was observed (event); or the time between the re-randomization date and the date of the last PASI assessment in the Weeks 32-52 interval prior to addition of protocol-prohibited medication/therapy, or resumption of APR 30 BID, or discontinuation, or Week 52 if no loss (censored).

    Time frame: Week 32 to Week 52

  10. Number of Participants With Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs) During the Placebo-Controlled Phase

    An AE was any noxious, unintended, or untoward medical occurrence, that may appear or worsen in a participant during the course of study. It may be a new intercurrent illness, a worsening concomitant illness, an injury, or any concomitant impairment of the participant's health, including laboratory test values regardless of etiology. Any worsening (ie, any clinically significant adverse change in the frequency or intensity of a preexisting condition) was considered an AE. A serious AE (SAE) is any untoward adverse event that is fatal, life-threatening, results in persistent or significant disability or incapacity, requires or prolongs existing in-patient hospitalization, is a congenital anomaly or birth defect, or a condition that may jeopardize the patient or may require intervention to prevent one of the outcomes listed above. An AE is a treatment emergent AE if the AE start date is on or after the date of the first dose of study drug and no later than 28 days after the last dose.

    Time frame: Week 0 to Week 16; mean duration of exposure was 14.8 weeks and 15.0 weeks for subjects randomized to placebo and apremilast respectively.

  11. Number of Participants With TEAEs During the Apremilast-Exposure Period Through Week 260

    The Apremilast-exposure Period started on the date of the first dose of apremilast (Week 0 for participants originally randomized to apremilast or Week 16 for participants originally randomized to placebo) to the last dose of apremilast. Adverse events that started after 28 days of initiating placebo and before resuming apremilast treatment in the Randomized Treatment Withdrawal Phase (Weeks 32 to 52) were excluded in the Apremilast-exposure Period. A serious AE (SAE) is any untoward adverse event that is fatal, life-threatening, results in persistent or significant disability or incapacity, requires or prolongs existing in-patient hospitalization, is a congenital anomaly or birth defect, or a condition that may jeopardize the patient or may require intervention to prevent one of the outcomes listed above. An AE is a treatment emergent AE if the AE start date is on or after the date of the first dose of study drug and no later than 28 days after the last dose.

    Time frame: Week 0 to Week 260; mean exposure to apremilast 30 mg BID during the Apremilast-exposure Period up to Week 260 was 97.83 weeks

  12. Number of Participants With a Psoriasis Flare or Rebound During the Placebo-Controlled Phase

    Psoriasis flare was defined as a sudden intensification of psoriasis requiring medical intervention, or a diagnosis of new generalized erythrodermic, inflammatory, or pustular psoriasis. Rebound is defined as a severe and sudden worsening of disease that occurs after treatment has been discontinued. Note categories below. \[1\] Psoriasis adverse events (ie, preferred term as Guttate psoriasis, Psoriasis, Pustular psoriasis) started on or after the first dose date and on or before the last dose date within the phase. \[2\] Psoriasis adverse events (ie, preferred term as Guttate psoriasis, Psoriasis, Pustular psoriasis, Rebound psoriasis) started after the last dose date for participants who discontinued within the phase. \[3\] PASI \>= 125% of baseline score at any visit after the last dose date for participants who discontinued within the phase and were not included in \[1\] and/or \[2\].

    Time frame: Weeks 0 to Week 16

  13. Number of Participants With a Psoriasis Flare or Rebound During the During the Apremilast-exposure Period Through Week 260

    Psoriasis flare was defined as a sudden intensification of psoriasis requiring medical intervention, or a diagnosis of new generalized erythrodermic, inflammatory, or pustular psoriasis. Rebound is defined as a severe and sudden worsening of disease that occurs after treatment has been discontinued. Note categories below. \[1\] Psoriasis adverse events (ie, preferred term as Guttate psoriasis, Psoriasis, Pustular psoriasis) started on or after the first dose date and on or before the last dose date within the phase. \[2\] Psoriasis adverse events (ie, preferred term as Guttate psoriasis, Psoriasis, Pustular psoriasis, Rebound psoriasis) started after the last dose date for participants who discontinued within the phase. \[3\] PASI \>= 125% of baseline score at any visit after the last dose date for participants who discontinued within the phase and were not included in \[1\] and/or \[2\].

    Time frame: Week 0 to Week 260

07

Results

Posted Nov 5, 2014

Participant flow

The study was conducted at 76 study centers in 8 countries

Placebo-Controlled Phase Weeks 0-16
Participant flow — Placebo-Controlled Phase Weeks 0-16
MilestoneApremilastPlaceboApremilast-ApremilastPlacebo-ApremilastAPR-APR-Re-randomized to PBOAPR-APR-Re-randomized to APRAPR-APR-APR + Optional Topicals/UVBPBO-APR-APR + Optional Topicals/ UVBApremilast (Long-term Extension)Placebo-Apremilast (Long-term Extension)
Started56228200000000
Received apremilast56028200000000
Completed50324900000000
Not completed593300000000
Withdrew: Adverse event23500000000
Withdrew: Lack of efficacy2700000000
Withdrew: Noncompliance with study drug7000000000
Withdrew: Withdrawal by subject12900000000
Withdrew: Death0100000000
Withdrew: Lost to follow-up7900000000
Withdrew: Protocol violation7100000000
Withdrew: Miscellaneous1100000000
Maintenance Phase Weeks16-32
Participant flow — Maintenance Phase Weeks16-32
MilestoneApremilastPlaceboApremilast-ApremilastPlacebo-ApremilastAPR-APR-Re-randomized to PBOAPR-APR-Re-randomized to APRAPR-APR-APR + Optional Topicals/UVBPBO-APR-APR + Optional Topicals/ UVBApremilast (Long-term Extension)Placebo-Apremilast (Long-term Extension)
Started00494245000000
Received apremilast00493244000000
Completed00424215000000
Not completed007030000000
Withdrew: Adverse event0089000000
Withdrew: Lack of efficacy003715000000
Withdrew: Non-compliance with study drug0021000000
Withdrew: Withdrawal by subject00123000000
Withdrew: Lost to follow-up0090000000
Withdrew: Protocol violation0001000000
Withdrew: Other0021000000
Randomized Withdrawal Phase-Weeks 32-52
Participant flow — Randomized Withdrawal Phase-Weeks 32-52
MilestoneApremilastPlaceboApremilast-ApremilastPlacebo-ApremilastAPR-APR-Re-randomized to PBOAPR-APR-Re-randomized to APRAPR-APR-APR + Optional Topicals/UVBPBO-APR-APR + Optional Topicals/ UVBApremilast (Long-term Extension)Placebo-Apremilast (Long-term Extension)
Started0000777724520800
Received topical + light therapy0000001269100
Completed0000737318416300
Not completed000044614500
Withdrew: Adverse event0000016500
Withdrew: Lack of efficacy000011353300
Withdrew: Non-compliance with study drug0000102000
Withdrew: Withdrawal by subject00001012600
Withdrew: Lost to follow-up0000125000
Withdrew: Protocol violation0000000100
Withdrew: Other0000001000
Long-Term Extension Weeks 52 to 260
Participant flow — Long-Term Extension Weeks 52 to 260
MilestoneApremilastPlaceboApremilast-ApremilastPlacebo-ApremilastAPR-APR-Re-randomized to PBOAPR-APR-Re-randomized to APRAPR-APR-APR + Optional Topicals/UVBPBO-APR-APR + Optional Topicals/ UVBApremilast (Long-term Extension)Placebo-Apremilast (Long-term Extension)
Started00000000306153
Received at least 1 dose of ip00000000304153
Completed000000008641
Not completed00000000220112
Withdrew: Adverse event000000002514
Withdrew: Lack of efficacy000000008149
Withdrew: Noncompliance with ip0000000094
Withdrew: Withdrawal by subject000000006632
Withdrew: Death0000000011
Withdrew: Lost to follow-up000000002410
Withdrew: Protocol violation0000000030
Withdrew: Miscellaneous00000000112

Outcome measures

PrimaryPercentage of Participants Who Achieved a 75% Improvement (Response) in the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI-75) at Week 16 From Baseline

PASI-75 response is the percentage of participants who achieved at least a 75% reduction (improvement) from baseline in PASI score at Week 16. The improvement in PASI score was used as a measure of efficacy. The PASI was a measure of psoriatic disease severity taking into account qualitative lesion characteristics (erythema, thickness, and scaling) and degree of skin surface area involvement on defined anatomical regions. PASI scores range from 0 to 72, with higher scores reflecting greater disease severity. Erythema, thickness, and scaling are scored on a scale of 0 (none) to 4 (very severe) on 4 anatomic regions of the body: head, trunk, upper limbs, and lower limbs. Degree of involvement on each of the 4 anatomic regions is scored on a scale of 0 (no involvement) to 6 (90% to 100% involvement). The PASI score was set to missing if any severity score or degree of involvement is missing.

Time frame:
Baseline to Week 16
Reported as:
Number · percentage of participants
Percentage of Participants Who Achieved a 75% Improvement (Response) in the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI-75) at Week 16 From Baseline
percentage of participantsPlacebo/ApremilastPlacebo (PBO)
Percentage of Participants Who Achieved a 75% Improvement (Response) in the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI-75) at Week 16 From Baseline33.15.3
Statistical analysis
  • Placebo/Apremilast vs Placebo (PBO) · Chi-squared · p = <0.0001 · Risk difference (rd): 27.8 · 95% CI 23.1 to 32.5
SecondaryPercentage of Participants Who Achieved a Static Physician Global Assessment (sPGA) Score of Clear (0) or Almost Clear (1) With At Least 2 Points Reduction From Baseline

The sPGA was a 5-point scale ranging from 0 (clear), 1 (almost clear), 2 (mild), 3 (moderate), to 4 (severe), incorporating an assessment of the severity of the three primary signs of the disease: erythema, scaling and plaque elevation. When making the assessment of overall severity, the Investigator factored in areas that have already been cleared (ie, have scores of 0) and did not just evaluate remaining lesions for severity, ie, the severity of each sign was averaged across all areas of involvement, including cleared lesions. In the event of different severities across disease signs, the sign that is the predominant feature of the disease should be used to help determine the sPGA score.

Time frame:
Baseline to Week 16
Reported as:
Number · percentage of participants
Percentage of Participants Who Achieved a Static Physician Global Assessment (sPGA) Score of Clear (0) or Almost Clear (1) With At Least 2 Points Reduction From Baseline
percentage of participantsApremilastPlacebo
Percentage of Participants Who Achieved a Static Physician Global Assessment (sPGA) Score of Clear (0) or Almost Clear (1) With At Least 2 Points Reduction From Baseline21.73.9
Statistical analysis
  • Apremilast vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = <0.0001 · Risk difference (rd): 17.8 · 95% CI 13.7 to 21.9
SecondaryPercent Change From Baseline in Percent of Affected Body Surface Area (BSA) at Week 16

BSA was a measurement of involved skin. The overall BSA affected by psoriasis was estimated based on the palm area of the participant's hand (entire palmar surface or "handprint" including the fingers), which equates to approximately 1% of total body surface area. BSA percent change from baseline (Visit 2 Week 0) was determined at each visit of the study, which is calculated as 100\*(visit BSA - baseline BSA) / baseline BSA (%).

Time frame:
Baseline and Week 16
Reported as:
Least squares mean · percent change
Percent Change From Baseline in Percent of Affected Body Surface Area (BSA) at Week 16
percent changeApremilastPlacebo
Percent Change From Baseline in Percent of Affected Body Surface Area (BSA) at Week 16-47.77 ± 1.634-6.99 ± 2.317
Statistical analysis
  • Apremilast vs Placebo · ANCOVA · p = <0.0001 · Difference in ls mean: -40.78 · 95% CI -46.34 to -35.21The model included treatment group as a factor and the baseline value as a covariate. The estimation and p-value were adjusted by the covariate.
SecondaryPercent Change From Baseline in the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) Score at Week 16

Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) scores range from 0 to 72, with higher scores reflecting greater disease severity. Erythema, thickness, and scaling are scored on a scale of 0 (none) to 4 (very severe) on 4 anatomic regions of the body: head, trunk, upper limbs, and lower limbs. Degree of involvement on each of the 4 anatomic regions is scored on a scale of 0 (no involvement) to 6 (90% to 100% involvement). The total qualitative score (sum of erythema, thickness, and scaling scores) is multiplied by the degree of involvement for each anatomic region and then multiplied by a constant. These values for each anatomic region are summed to yield the PASI score. The PASI score was set to missing if any severity score or degree of involvement is missing. PASI score percent change from baseline was calculated as 100\* (visit score - baseline score)/baseline score (%).

Time frame:
Baseline to Week 16
Reported as:
Least squares mean · percent change
Percent Change From Baseline in the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) Score at Week 16
percent changePlacebo/ApremilastPlacebo
Percent Change From Baseline in the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) Score at Week 16-52.1 ± 1.37-16.8 ± 1.94
Statistical analysis
  • Placebo/Apremilast vs Placebo · ANCOVA · p = <0.0001 · Difference in ls mean: -35.3 · 95% CI -39.9 to -30.6The model included treatment group as a factor and the baseline value as a covariate. The estimation and p-value were adjusted by the covariate.
SecondaryPercentage of Participants Who Achieved a 50% Improvement (Response) in the PASI Score (PASI-50) at Week 16 From Baseline

A participant was classified as having at least a 50% improvement in PASI score from baseline, which was equivalent to a percent change from baseline ranging from -100% to -50%. PASI score is based on an assessment of erythema (reddening), induration (plaque thickness), desquamation (scaling), and the percent area affected as observed on the day of examination.

Time frame:
Baseline to Week 16
Reported as:
Number · Percentage of Participants
Percentage of Participants Who Achieved a 50% Improvement (Response) in the PASI Score (PASI-50) at Week 16 From Baseline
Percentage of ParticipantsPlacebo/ApremilastPlacebo
Percentage of Participants Who Achieved a 50% Improvement (Response) in the PASI Score (PASI-50) at Week 16 From Baseline58.717.0
Statistical analysis
  • Placebo/Apremilast vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = <0.0001 · Risk difference (rd): 41.7 · 95% CI 35.7 to 47.7
SecondaryChange From Baseline in Pruritus Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Score at Week 16

The Pruritus Visual Analog Scores (VAS) were used to measure the amount of itching and discomfort a participant experiences. Participant's Assessment of Pruritus (Itch) asked: On average, how much itch have you had because of your condition in the past week? All VAS values range from 0 to 100. Higher scores correspond to more severe symptom or disease. Change from baseline was calculated for the VAS scale, where change = visit value - baseline value.

Time frame:
Baseline and Week 16
Reported as:
Least squares mean · units on a scale
Change From Baseline in Pruritus Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Score at Week 16
units on a scaleApremilastPlacebo
Change From Baseline in Pruritus Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Score at Week 16-31.5 ± 1.30-7.3 ± 1.85
Statistical analysis
  • Apremilast vs Placebo · ANOVA · p = <0.0001 · Difference in ls mean: -24.2 · 95% CI -28.7 to -19.8Based on an analysis of variance model for the change from baseline at Week 16, with treatment group as a factor (an ANOVA model).
SecondaryChange From Baseline in the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) Total Score at Week 16

DLQI is a simple, compact, and practical questionnaire for use in a dermatology clinical setting to assess limitations related to the impact of skin disease. The instrument contains ten items dealing with the participant's skin. With the exception of Item Number 7, the participant responds on a four-point scale, ranging from "Very Much" (score 3) to "Not at All" or "Not relevant" (score 0). Item Number 7 is a multi-part item, the first part of which ascertains whether the participant's skin prevented them from working or studying (Yes or No, scores 3 or 0 respectively), and if "No," then the participant is asked how much of a problem the skin has been at work or study over the past week, with response alternatives being "A lot," "A little," or "Not at all" (scores 2, 1, or 0 respectively). The DLQI total score is derived by summing all item scores, which has a possible range of 0 to 30, with 30 corresponding to the worst quality of life, and 0 corresponding to the best.

Time frame:
Baseline to Week 16
Reported as:
Least squares mean · units on a scale
Change From Baseline in the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) Total Score at Week 16
units on a scaleApremilastPlacebo
Change From Baseline in the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) Total Score at Week 16-6.6 ± 0.27-2.1 ± 0.38
Statistical analysis
  • Apremilast vs Placebo · ANOVA · p = <0.0001 · Difference in ls mean: -4.5 · 95% CI -5.4 to -3.6Based on an analysis of covariance model for the change from baseline at Week 16, with treatment group as a factor, the baseline value, and the treatment by baseline interaction term as covariates.
SecondaryChange From Baseline in the Mental Component Summary (MSC) Score of the Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36-item (SF-36) Health Survey Version 2.0 at Week 16

The SF-36 was a 36-item general health status instrument and consists of 8 scales: physical function (PF), role limitations-physical (RP), vitality (VT), general health perceptions (GH), bodily pain (BP), social function (SF), role limitations-emotional (RE), and mental health (MH). Scale scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better health. Two overall summary scores were obtained - a Physical Component Summary score (PCS) and a Mental Component Summary score (MCS). Scores from the 8 scales, PCS and MCS were transformed to the norm-based scores using weights from U.S. general population, with 50 as the average and 10 as the standard deviation, higher scores indicating better health. For norm based scores, change from baseline were calculated for the 8 scales and the two summary scales, where change = visit value - baseline value.

Time frame:
Baseline to Week 16
Reported as:
Least squares mean · units on a scale
Change From Baseline in the Mental Component Summary (MSC) Score of the Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36-item (SF-36) Health Survey Version 2.0 at Week 16
units on a scaleApremilastPlacebo
Change From Baseline in the Mental Component Summary (MSC) Score of the Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36-item (SF-36) Health Survey Version 2.0 at Week 162.28 ± 0.371-0.81 ± 0.529
Statistical analysis
  • Apremilast vs Placebo · ANCOVA · p = <0.0001 · Ls mean difference: 3.08 · 95% CI 1.81 to 4.35The model included treatment group as a factor and the baseline value as a covariate. The estimation and p-value were adjusted by the covariate.
SecondaryPercentage of Participants Who Achieved Both a 75% Improvement (Response) in the PASI and sPGA Score of Clear (0) or Almost Clear (1) With at Least 2 Points Reduction at Week 16 From Baseline

PASI-75 response was the percentage of participants who achieved at least a 75% reduction (improvement) from baseline in PASI score at Week 16. The improvement in PASI score was used as a measure of efficacy. See Outcome Measure #1 for further description. sPGA is a 5-point scale ranging from 0 (clear), 1 (almost clear), 2 (mild), 3 (moderate), to 4 (severe), incorporating an assessment of the severity of the three primary signs of the disease: erythema, scaling and plaque elevation. See OCM #2 for further description.

Time frame:
Baseline to Week 16
Reported as:
Number · percentage of participants
Percentage of Participants Who Achieved Both a 75% Improvement (Response) in the PASI and sPGA Score of Clear (0) or Almost Clear (1) With at Least 2 Points Reduction at Week 16 From Baseline
percentage of participantsApremilastPlacebo
Percentage of Participants Who Achieved Both a 75% Improvement (Response) in the PASI and sPGA Score of Clear (0) or Almost Clear (1) With at Least 2 Points Reduction at Week 16 From Baseline20.33.5
Statistical analysis
  • Apremilast vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = <0.0001 · Risk difference (rd): 16.7 · 95% CI 12.8 to 20.7
SecondaryKaplan Meier Estimate of Time to Loss of PASI-75 Response (Loss of Effect) at Week 32 During the Re-Randomized Treatment Withdrawal Phase

Time to loss was the time between the re-randomization date and the date of the first assessment where loss of PASI-75 was observed (event); or the time between the re-randomization date and the date of the last PASI assessment in the Weeks 32-52 interval prior to addition of protocol-prohibited medication/therapy, or resumption of APR 30 BID, or discontinuation, or Week 52 if no loss (censored).

Time frame:
Week 32 to Week 52
Reported as:
Median · Weeks
Kaplan Meier Estimate of Time to Loss of PASI-75 Response (Loss of Effect) at Week 32 During the Re-Randomized Treatment Withdrawal Phase
WeeksAPR-APR-Re-randomized to APRAPR-APR -Re-randomized to PBO
Kaplan Meier Estimate of Time to Loss of PASI-75 Response (Loss of Effect) at Week 32 During the Re-Randomized Treatment Withdrawal Phase17.7 (13.0 to NA)5.1 (4.1 to 8.1)
Statistical analysis
  • APR-APR-Re-randomized to APR vs APR-APR -Re-randomized to PBO · Log Rank · p = <0.0001 · Hazard ratio (hr): 2.649 · 95% CI 1.768 to 3.969
SecondaryNumber of Participants With Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs) During the Placebo-Controlled Phase

An AE was any noxious, unintended, or untoward medical occurrence, that may appear or worsen in a participant during the course of study. It may be a new intercurrent illness, a worsening concomitant illness, an injury, or any concomitant impairment of the participant's health, including laboratory test values regardless of etiology. Any worsening (ie, any clinically significant adverse change in the frequency or intensity of a preexisting condition) was considered an AE. A serious AE (SAE) is any untoward adverse event that is fatal, life-threatening, results in persistent or significant disability or incapacity, requires or prolongs existing in-patient hospitalization, is a congenital anomaly or birth defect, or a condition that may jeopardize the patient or may require intervention to prevent one of the outcomes listed above. An AE is a treatment emergent AE if the AE start date is on or after the date of the first dose of study drug and no later than 28 days after the last dose.

Time frame:
Week 0 to Week 16; mean duration of exposure was 14.8 weeks and 15.0 weeks for subjects randomized to placebo and apremilast respectively.
Reported as:
Number · participants
Number of Participants With Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs) During the Placebo-Controlled Phase
participantsApremilastPlacebo
Any TEAE388157
Any Drug-Related TEAE22458
Any Severe TEAE209
Any Serious TEAE128
Any Serious Drug-Related TEAE40
Any TEAE leading to Drug Interruption3713
Any TEAE leading to drug withdrawal299
Any TEAE Leading to Death11
SecondaryNumber of Participants With TEAEs During the Apremilast-Exposure Period Through Week 260

The Apremilast-exposure Period started on the date of the first dose of apremilast (Week 0 for participants originally randomized to apremilast or Week 16 for participants originally randomized to placebo) to the last dose of apremilast. Adverse events that started after 28 days of initiating placebo and before resuming apremilast treatment in the Randomized Treatment Withdrawal Phase (Weeks 32 to 52) were excluded in the Apremilast-exposure Period. A serious AE (SAE) is any untoward adverse event that is fatal, life-threatening, results in persistent or significant disability or incapacity, requires or prolongs existing in-patient hospitalization, is a congenital anomaly or birth defect, or a condition that may jeopardize the patient or may require intervention to prevent one of the outcomes listed above. An AE is a treatment emergent AE if the AE start date is on or after the date of the first dose of study drug and no later than 28 days after the last dose.

Time frame:
Week 0 to Week 260; mean exposure to apremilast 30 mg BID during the Apremilast-exposure Period up to Week 260 was 97.83 weeks
Reported as:
Number · participants
Number of Participants With TEAEs During the Apremilast-Exposure Period Through Week 260
participantsApremilast
Any At TEAE675
Any Drug-Related TEAE372
Any Severe TEAE78
Any Serious TEAE74
Any Serious Drug-Related TEAE12
Any TEAE Leading to Drug Interruption107
Any TEAE Leading to Drug withdrawal98
Any TEAE Leading to Death3
SecondaryNumber of Participants With a Psoriasis Flare or Rebound During the Placebo-Controlled Phase

Psoriasis flare was defined as a sudden intensification of psoriasis requiring medical intervention, or a diagnosis of new generalized erythrodermic, inflammatory, or pustular psoriasis. Rebound is defined as a severe and sudden worsening of disease that occurs after treatment has been discontinued. Note categories below. \[1\] Psoriasis adverse events (ie, preferred term as Guttate psoriasis, Psoriasis, Pustular psoriasis) started on or after the first dose date and on or before the last dose date within the phase. \[2\] Psoriasis adverse events (ie, preferred term as Guttate psoriasis, Psoriasis, Pustular psoriasis, Rebound psoriasis) started after the last dose date for participants who discontinued within the phase. \[3\] PASI \>= 125% of baseline score at any visit after the last dose date for participants who discontinued within the phase and were not included in \[1\] and/or \[2\].

Time frame:
Weeks 0 to Week 16
Reported as:
Number · participants
Number of Participants With a Psoriasis Flare or Rebound During the Placebo-Controlled Phase
participantsPlaceboApremilast
Participants with any psoriasis flare [1]76
Participants with any psoriasis rebound [2]11
PASI ≥ 125% of Baseline score after last dose [3]33
SecondaryNumber of Participants With a Psoriasis Flare or Rebound During the During the Apremilast-exposure Period Through Week 260

Psoriasis flare was defined as a sudden intensification of psoriasis requiring medical intervention, or a diagnosis of new generalized erythrodermic, inflammatory, or pustular psoriasis. Rebound is defined as a severe and sudden worsening of disease that occurs after treatment has been discontinued. Note categories below. \[1\] Psoriasis adverse events (ie, preferred term as Guttate psoriasis, Psoriasis, Pustular psoriasis) started on or after the first dose date and on or before the last dose date within the phase. \[2\] Psoriasis adverse events (ie, preferred term as Guttate psoriasis, Psoriasis, Pustular psoriasis, Rebound psoriasis) started after the last dose date for participants who discontinued within the phase. \[3\] PASI \>= 125% of baseline score at any visit after the last dose date for participants who discontinued within the phase and were not included in \[1\] and/or \[2\].

Time frame:
Week 0 to Week 260
Reported as:
Number · participants
Number of Participants With a Psoriasis Flare or Rebound During the During the Apremilast-exposure Period Through Week 260
participantsApremilast
Participants with any psoriasis flare [1]35
Participants with any psoriasis rebound [2]12
PASI ≥ 125% of Baseline score after last dose [3]26

Adverse events

Collected over AEs are reported at: 1. Weeks 0-16: PBO-controlled phase 2. Weeks 32-52 Randomized Withdrawal participants re-randomized to PBO at Week 32 3. Weeks 0-260 APR-exposure period for participants randomized or switched to APR at any time during the study. Non-serious events are listed at a 5% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Placebo (Placebo-Controlled Phase) Weeks 0-16—8/282 (2.8%)90/282 (31.9%)
Apremilast (Placebo-Controlled Phase) Weeks 0-16—12/560 (2.1%)260/560 (46.4%)
APR-APR-PBO Randomized Withdrawal Phase Weeks 32-52—2/77 (2.6%)10/77 (13%)
Apremilast (Apremilast Exposure Period) Weeks 0-260—74/804 (9.2%)503/804 (62.6%)
Most frequent serious events
Showing 10 of 88
Most frequent serious events
EventPlacebo (Placebo-Controlled Phase) Weeks 0-16Apremilast (Placebo-Controlled Phase) Weeks 0-16APR-APR-PBO Randomized Withdrawal Phase Weeks 32-52Apremilast (Apremilast Exposure Period) Weeks 0-260
Non-cardiac chest painGeneral disorders0/2820/5601/772/804
Chemical burns of eyeInjury, poisoning and procedural complications0/2820/5601/771/804
Coronary artery diseaseCardiac disorders0/2820/5600/776/804
Acute myocardial infarctionCardiac disorders0/2821/5600/774/804
NephrolithiasisRenal and urinary disorders0/2820/5600/774/804
OsteoarthritisMusculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders0/2820/5600/773/804
Myocardial infarctionCardiac disorders1/2820/5600/772/804
Supraventricular tachycardiaCardiac disorders1/2820/5600/770/804
Inguinal herniaGastrointestinal disorders1/2821/5600/772/804
CholecystitisHepatobiliary disorders1/2820/5600/770/804
Most frequent other events
Showing 10 of 11
Most frequent other events
EventPlacebo (Placebo-Controlled Phase) Weeks 0-16Apremilast (Placebo-Controlled Phase) Weeks 0-16APR-APR-PBO Randomized Withdrawal Phase Weeks 32-52Apremilast (Apremilast Exposure Period) Weeks 0-260
Upper respiratory tract infectionInfections and infestations21/28257/5602/77183/804
DiarrhoeaGastrointestinal disorders20/282105/5600/77163/804
NasopharyngitisInfections and infestations23/28241/5603/77131/804
NauseaGastrointestinal disorders19/28288/5600/77130/804
Tension headacheNervous system disorders12/28241/5602/7784/804
HeadacheNervous system disorders13/28231/5600/7762/804
HypertensionVascular disorders7/28210/5600/7756/804
ArthralgiaMusculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders5/2829/5602/7751/804
Back painMusculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders2/28214/5601/7750/804
SinusitisInfections and infestations5/28216/5601/7745/804

Baseline characteristics

The full analysis set (FAS) consisted of all participants who were randomized as specified in the protocol. Those who were randomized in error and did not receive any dose of Investigational product were excluded from FAS. Participants were included in the treatment group to which they were randomized APR 30 BID or placebo for the FAS.

Age, Continuous
Age, Continuous(years)ApremilastPlaceboTotal
Mean45.8 ± 13.0746.5 ± 12.7246.0 ± 12.95
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)ApremilastPlaceboTotal
Female18388271
Male379194573
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Race/Ethnicity, Customized(participants)ApremilastPlaceboTotal
American Indian or Alaska Native257
Asian281644
Black or African American181028
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander516
White507250757
Other202
Duration of Plaque Psoriasis
Duration of Plaque Psoriasis(years)ApremilastPlaceboTotal
<10 years15085235
10 to < 20 years15973232
≥ 20 years253122375
Missing022
08

Study locations

No study locations are listed for this record.

09

References and documents

Publications

  • Reich K, Mrowietz U, Menter A, Griffiths CEM, Bagel J, Strober B, Nunez Gomez N, Shi R, Guerette B, Lebwohl M. Effect of baseline disease severity on achievement of treatment target with apremilast: results from a pooled analysis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2021 Dec;35(12):2409-2414. doi: 10.1111/jdv.17520. Epub 2021 Aug 23. PubMed 34255891 ↗
10

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Mar 15, 2022, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
11

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT01194219
Lead sponsor
Amgen
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Sep 2, 2010
Start date
Sep 9, 2010
Primary completion
Feb 23, 2012
Completion
Nov 22, 2016
Results posted
Nov 5, 2014
Last update
Mar 15, 2022

Study contacts

MD
study director · Amgen

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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