Evidence Hub

Efficacy of adalimumab in pediatric generalized pustular psoriasis: case series and literature review

Yaxin Du, Q. Yan, Mei Chen, Zhengbang Dong, Fei Wang

Journal of dermatological treatment (Print), 2022

19 citations

Abstract

Abstract Background Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare, severe, and sometimes fatal form of childhood psoriasis. The first line therapies include acitretin, cyclosporin A, and methotrexate which take effect slowly and have varying long-term side effects for children. Recently, the anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), adalimumab has shown efficacy in adult patients with pustular psoriasis; however, there is lack of evidence of its usage in the pediatric population. Methods Data on efficacy of adalimumab in treating pediatric GPP along with a literature review are presented. Results A total of seven patients had marked clearance and reduction in PGA and systemic/laboratory score within the first week of first injection and achieved almost complete clearance of skin lesions by 1-month follow up. In literature, adalimumab treating pustular psoriasis in pediatric has been described in six children who failed in prior treatment. All six patients showed a satisfactory therapeutic effect. Conclusions Subcutaneous injection of adalimumab every other week in the treatment of children with GPP has significant clinical efficacy with rapid clearance of skin lesions, providing a novel alternative for children with pustular psoriasis who responded poorly to traditional treatment or are not suitable for traditional treatment.

Read the paper

Related studies

Go deeper in Evidence Hub

Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.

Open this study Sign up free