Ustekinumab in the treatment of palmoplantar pustular psoriasis - a case series of nine patients.

BACKGROUND: Palmoplantar pustular psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is associated with considerable impairment in quality of life and resilience. Given the lack of approved pharmacological agents for this indication and the frequently recalcitrant disease course, therapeutic options are limited.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Following unsatisfactory therapeutic attempts with other treatment modalities, nine patients (six women; three men) were treated with ustekinumab (45 mg in individuals < 100 kg body weight, 90 mg in individuals > 100 kg) at weeks 0, 4, 12, and 24. Latent tuberculosis was ruled out prior to treatment. Regular follow-up was done at week 4 and 12, and every 12 weeks thereafter.

RESULTS: Average age at the beginning of treatment was 48 years. Four patients achieved 75 % improvement in the palmoplantar Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI). Overall, there was an average improvement in the palmoplantar PASI of 71.6 % after 24 weeks. Two patients exhibited complete resolution after 24 weeks. Besides local injection site reactions and mild infections, no adverse effects were observed.

CONCLUSIONS: This case series provides further evidence for the effectiveness and tolerability of ustekinumab in the treatment of palmoplantar pustular psoriasis. Controlled studies and observations in the context of patient registries are required to assess long-term efficacy and safety as well as the potential therapeutic benefit of intermittent therapy.