A symposium discussing issues of treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis was held within the VII Moscow Congress of Emergency Physicians in Russia. Attendees of the symposium discussed new options of struggle against that disorder, represented by new generation drugs. In particular, they discusse a small molecule phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor (apremilast). This drug was presented at the symposium by Friedrich-Alexander Erlangen-Nurenberg University (Germany) Professor Georg Shett. He remarked that due to its small molecule weight the drug enters the cells responsible for immunity, stimulating production of anti-inflammatory molecules and lowering production of proinflammatory factors active in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. He also stressed that the product, acting inside inflammatory cells, inhibits the transfer of pathological impulse and does not inhibit the immunity, thus favorably compared to biological drugs, inhibiting specific cytokines.
In its turn RAS academician Vadim Mazurov stressed that the product demonstrated high efficacy and a good safety profile in the studies. Continuing on that thought, Evgeniy Nasonov, RAS Academician, Director of FGBU V.A. Nasonova NIIR remarked that apremilast has been well-characterized in multi-year international clinical trials involving Russian HCPs. Resting upon a significant evidence base, it may be positively affirmed, that the product with unique balance of high effectiveness and safety will occupy a significant position in treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
