Skip to main content

Combination Therapy with Biologics and Other Systemic Treatments in Psoriasis

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Biologic and Systemic Agents in Dermatology

Abstract

Psoriasis is a common, chronic inflammatory disease associated with multiple comorbidities. The traditional therapies for moderate-to-severe psoriasis include phototherapy and systemic oral agents such as methotrexate, acitretin, and cyclosporine. Biologic agents, including etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab, ustekinumab, secukinumab, and ixekizumab, have changed the psoriasis armamentarium and have become widely used to treat moderate-to-severe psoriasis. While biologic monotherapies are effective for many patients, some patients have refractory psoriasis and may require combination approaches. Combination therapy with biologics may increase efficacy without additional toxicity. Selection of combination therapy depends on patient demographics, comorbidities, psoriasis disease severity, and previously attempted therapies. Combination therapy with biologics and methotrexate contains the most evidence, followed by combination therapy with acitretin and then NB-UVB. However, the amount of existing evidence does not necessarily correlate with effectiveness. Treatment decisions must be made on an individual basis, and further studies are needed to elucidate which combination therapies are most effective. This chapter will discuss and evaluate the data on combining various biologic agents with methotrexate, acitretin, cyclosporine, and phototherapy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Michalek IM, Loring B, John SM. A systematic review of worldwide epidemiology of psoriasis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2016. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.13854.

  2. Yeung H, Takeshita J, Mehta NN, Kimmel SE, Ogdie A, Margolis DJ, Shin DB, Attor R, Troxel AB, Gelfand JM. Psoriasis severity and the prevalence of major medical comorbidity: a population-based study. JAMA Dermatol. 2013;149(10):1173–9. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamadermatol.2013.5015.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  3. Dowlatshahi EA, Wakkee M, Arends LR, Nijsten T. The prevalence and odds of depressive symptoms and clinical depression in psoriasis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Invest Dermatol. 2014;134(6):1542–51. https://doi.org/10.1038/jid.2013.508.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Armstrong AW, Bagel J, Van Voorhees AS, Robertson AD, Yamauchi PS. Combining biologic therapies with other systemic treatments in psoriasis: evidence-based, best-practice recommendations from the medical Board of the National Psoriasis Foundation. JAMA Dermatol. 2015;151(4):432–8. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamadermatol.2014.3456.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Armstrong AW, Voyles SV, Armstrong EJ, Fuller EN, Rutledge JC. A tale of two plaques: convergent mechanisms of T-cell-mediated inflammation in psoriasis and atherosclerosis. Exp Dermatol. 2011;20(7):544–9. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0625.2011.01308.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Ward NL, Umetsu DT. A new player on the psoriasis block: IL-17A- and IL-22-producing innate lymphoid cells. J Invest Dermatol. 2014;134(9):2305–7. https://doi.org/10.1038/jid.2014.216.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  7. Golden JB, Groft SG, Squeri MV, Debanne SM, Ward NL, McCormick TS, Cooper KD. Chronic psoriatic skin inflammation leads to increased monocyte adhesion and aggregation. J immunol (Baltimore, MD: 1950). 2015;195(5):2006–18. https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.1402307.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Lebwohl M. Combining the new biologic agents with our current psoriasis armamentarium. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2003;49(2 Suppl):S118–24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Tanew A, Guggenbichler A, Honigsmann H, Geiger JM, Fritsch P. Photochemotherapy for severe psoriasis without or in combination with acitretin: a randomized, double-blind comparison study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1991;25(4):682–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Saurat JH, Geiger JM, Amblard P, Beani JC, Boulanger A, Claudy A, Frenk E, Guilhou JJ, Grosshans E, Merot Y, et al. Randomized double-blind multicenter study comparing acitretin-PUVA, etretinate-PUVA and placebo-PUVA in the treatment of severe psoriasis. Dermatologica. 1988;177(4):218–24.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Lauharanta J, Juvakoski T, Lassus A. A clinical evaluation of the effects of an aromatic retinoid (Tigason), combination of retinoid and PUVA, and PUVA alone in severe psoriasis. Br J Dermatol. 1981;104(3):325–32.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Ozdemir M, Engin B, Baysal I, Mevlitoglu I. A randomized comparison of acitretin-narrow-band TL-01 phototherapy and acitretin-psoralen plus ultraviolet a for psoriasis. Acta Derm Venereol. 2008;88(6):589–93. https://doi.org/10.2340/00015555-0529.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Menter A, Korman NJ, Elmets CA, Feldman SR, Gelfand JM, Gordon KB, Gottlieb A, Koo JY, Lebwohl M, Lim HW, Van Voorhees AS, Beutner KR, Bhushan R. Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: section 5. Guidelines of care for the treatment of psoriasis with phototherapy and photochemotherapy. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2010;62(1):114–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2009.08.026.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Stern RS. The risk of squamous cell and basal cell cancer associated with psoralen and ultraviolet a therapy: a 30-year prospective study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2012;66(4):553–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2011.04.004.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Archier E, Devaux S, Castela E, Gallini A, Aubin F, Le Maitre M, Aractingi S, Bachelez H, Cribier B, Joly P, Jullien D, Misery L, Paul C, Ortonne JP, Richard MA. Carcinogenic risks of psoralen UV-A therapy and narrowband UV-B therapy in chronic plaque psoriasis: a systematic literature review. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2012;26(Suppl 3):22–31. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-3083.2012.04520.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Murase JE, Lee EE, Koo J. Effect of ethnicity on the risk of developing nonmelanoma skin cancer following long-term PUVA therapy. Int J Dermatol. 2005;44(12):1016–21. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-4632.2004.02322.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Stern RS. The risk of melanoma in association with long-term exposure to PUVA. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2001;44(5):755–61. https://doi.org/10.1067/mjd.2001.114576.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Stern RS, Nichols KT, Vakeva LH. Malignant melanoma in patients treated for psoriasis with methoxsalen (psoralen) and ultraviolet a radiation (PUVA). The PUVA follow-up study. N Engl J Med. 1997;336(15):1041–5. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejm199704103361501.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Lindelof B, Sigurgeirsson B, Tegner E, Larko O, Johannesson A, Berne B, Ljunggren B, Andersson T, Molin L, Nylander-Lundqvist E, Emtestam L. PUVA and cancer risk: the Swedish follow-up study. Br J Dermatol. 1999;141(1):108–12.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Gollnick HP. Oral retinoids--efficacy and toxicity in psoriasis. Br J Dermatol. 1996;135(Suppl 49):6–17.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Warren RB, Griffiths CE. Systemic therapies for psoriasis: methotrexate, retinoids, and cyclosporine. Clin Dermatol. 2008;26(5):438–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clindermatol.2007.11.006.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Malatjalian DA, Ross JB, Williams CN, Colwell SJ, Eastwood BJ. Methotrexate hepatotoxicity in psoriatics: report of 104 patients from Nova Scotia, with analysis of risks from obesity, diabetes and alcohol consumption during long term follow-up. Can J Gastroenterol. 1996;10(6):369–75.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Conway R, Low C, Coughlan RJ, O’Donnell MJ, Carey JJ. Risk of liver injury among methotrexate users: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2015;45(2):156–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semarthrit.2015.05.003.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Rosenberg P, Urwitz H, Johannesson A, Ros AM, Lindholm J, Kinnman N, Hultcrantz R. Psoriasis patients with diabetes type 2 are at high risk of developing liver fibrosis during methotrexate treatment. J Hepatol. 2007;46(6):1111–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2007.01.024.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Jariwala P, Kumar V, Kothari K, Thakkar S, Umrigar DD. Acute methotrexate toxicity: a fatal condition in two cases of psoriasis. Case Rep Dermatol Med. 2014;2014:946716. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/946716.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  26. Griffiths CE, Dubertret L, Ellis CN, Finlay AY, Finzi AF, Ho VC, Johnston A, Katsambas A, Lison AE, Naeyaert JM, Nakagawa H, Paul C, Vanaclocha F. Ciclosporin in psoriasis clinical practice: an international consensus statement. Br J Dermatol. 2004;150(Suppl 67):11–23. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0366-077X.2004.05949.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Menter A, Korman NJ, Elmets CA, Feldman SR, Gelfand JM, Gordon KB, Gottlieb AB, Koo JY, Lebwohl M, Lim HW, Van Voorhees AS, Beutner KR, Bhushan R. Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: section 4. Guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with traditional systemic agents. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009;61(3):451–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2009.03.027.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Paul CF, Ho VC, McGeown C, Christophers E, Schmidtmann B, Guillaume JC, Lamarque V, Dubertret L. Risk of malignancies in psoriasis patients treated with cyclosporine: a 5 year cohort study. J Invest Dermatol. 2003;120(2):211–6. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-1747.2003.12040.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Campanati A, Ganzetti G, Giuliodori K, Molinelli E, Offidani A. Biologic therapy in psoriasis: safety profile. Curr Drug Saf. 2016;11(1):4–11.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Iskandar IY, Ashcroft DM, Warren RB, Evans I, McElhone K, Owen CM, Burden AD, Smith CH, Reynolds NJ, Griffiths CE. Patterns of biologic therapy use in the management of psoriasis: cohort study from the British Association of Dermatologists biologic interventions register (BADBIR). Br J Dermatol. 2016. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.15027.

  31. Farhangian ME, Feldman SR. Immunogenicity of biologic treatments for psoriasis: therapeutic consequences and the potential value of concomitant methotrexate. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2015;16(4):285–94. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-015-0131-y.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Callis Duffin K, Yeung H, Takeshita J, Krueger GG, Robertson AD, Troxel AB, Shin DB, Van Voorhees AS, Gelfand JM. Patient satisfaction with treatments for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in clinical practice. Br J Dermatol. 2014;170(3):672–80. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.12745.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Gottlieb AB, Langley RG, Strober BE, Papp KA, Klekotka P, Creamer K, Thompson EH, Hooper M, Kricorian G. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the addition of methotrexate to etanercept in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Br J Dermatol. 2012;167(3):649–57. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2012.11015.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  34. Zachariae C, Mork NJ, Reunala T, Lorentzen H, Falk E, Karvonen SL, Johannesson A, Clareus B, Skov L, Mork G, Walker S, Qvitzau S. The combination of etanercept and methotrexate increases the effectiveness of treatment in active psoriasis despite inadequate effect of methotrexate therapy. Acta Derm Venereol. 2008;88(5):495–501. https://doi.org/10.2340/00015555-0511.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Driessen RJ, van de Kerkhof PC, de Jong EM. Etanercept combined with methotrexate for high-need psoriasis. Br J Dermatol. 2008;159(2):460–3. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2008.08669.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Babino G, Giunta A, Ruzzetti M, Sole Chimenti M, Chimenti S, Esposito M. Combination therapy with etanercept in psoriasis: retrospective analysis of efficacy and safety outcomes from real-life practice. J Int Med Res. 2016;44(1 suppl):100–5. https://doi.org/10.1177/0300060515593260.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  37. Takeshita J, Wang S, Shin DB, Callis Duffin K, Krueger GG, Kalb RE, Weisman JD, Sperber BR, Stierstorfer MB, Brod BA, Schleicher SM, Robertson AD, Linn KA, Shinohara RT, Troxel AB, Van Voorhees AS, Gelfand JM. Comparative effectiveness of less commonly used systemic monotherapies and common combination therapies for moderate to severe psoriasis in the clinical setting. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;71(6):1167–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2014.08.003.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  38. Goedkoop AY, Kraan MC, Picavet DI, de Rie MA, Teunissen MB, Bos JD, Tak PP. Deactivation of endothelium and reduction in angiogenesis in psoriatic skin and synovium by low dose infliximab therapy in combination with stable methotrexate therapy: a prospective single-centre study. Arthritis Res Ther. 2004;6(4):R326–34. https://doi.org/10.1186/ar1182.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  39. Kavanaugh A, Krueger GG, Beutler A, Guzzo C, Zhou B, Dooley LT, Mease PJ, Gladman DD, de Vlam K, Geusens PP, Birbara C, Halter DG, Antoni C. Infliximab maintains a high degree of clinical response in patients with active psoriatic arthritis through 1 year of treatment: results from the IMPACT 2 trial. Ann Rheum Dis. 2007;66(4):498–505. https://doi.org/10.1136/ard.2006.058339.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Dalaker M, Bonesronning JH. Long-term maintenance treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis with infliximab in combination with methotrexate or azathioprine in a retrospective cohort. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2009;23(3):277–82. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-3083.2008.03039.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. de Groot MTM, Picavet DI, van Kuijk AW, Tak PP, de Rie MA, Bos JD. Adalimumab in combination with methotrexate more effectively reduces the numbers of different inflammatory cell types in lesional psoriatic skin than does single treatent with adalimumab or methotrexate. Br J Dermatol. 2008;158(6):1401.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Behrens F, Koehm M, Arndt U, Wittig BM, Greger G, Thaci D, Scharbatke E, Tony HP, Burkhardt H. Does concomitant methotrexate with adalimumab influence treatment outcomes in patients with psoriatic arthritis? Data from a large observational study. J Rheumatol. 2016;43(3):632–9. https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.141596.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Heinecke GM, Luber AJ, Levitt JO, Lebwohl MG. Combination use of ustekinumab with other systemic therapies: a retrospective study in a tertiary referral center. J Drugs Dermatol. 2013;12(10):1098–102.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Booij MT, Van De Kerkhof PC. Acitretin revisited in the era of biologics. J Dermatol Treat. 2011;22(2):86–9. https://doi.org/10.3109/09546630903578582.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Gisondi P, Del Giglio M, Cotena C, Girolomoni G. Combining etanercept and acitretin in the therapy of chronic plaque psoriasis: a 24-week, randomized, controlled, investigator-blinded pilot trial. Br J Dermatol. 2008;158(6):1345–9. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2008.08564.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Lee JH, Youn JI, Kim TY, Choi JH, Park CJ, Choe YB, Song HJ, Kim NI, Kim KJ, Lee JH, Yoo HJ. A multicenter, randomized, open-label pilot trial assessing the efficacy and safety of etanercept 50 mg twice weekly followed by etanercept 25 mg twice weekly, the combination of etanercept 25 mg twice weekly and acitretin, and acitretin alone in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. BMC Dermatol. 2016;16(1):11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12895-016-0048-z.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  47. Smith EC, Riddle C, Menter MA, Lebwohl M. Combining systemic retinoids with biologic agents for moderate to severe psoriasis. Int J Dermatol. 2008;47(5):514–8. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-4632.2008.03470.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Arakawa A, Ruzicka T, Prinz JC. Therapeutic efficacy of interleukin 12/interleukin 23 blockade in generalized pustular psoriasis regardless of IL36RN mutation status. JAMA Dermatol. 2016;152(7):825–8. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamadermatol.2016.0751.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Yamauchi PS, Lowe NJ. Cessation of cyclosporine therapy by treatment with etanercept in patients with severe psoriasis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006;54(3 Suppl 2):S135–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2005.11.1043.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Wolf P, Hofer A, Legat FJ, Bretterklieber A, Weger W, Salmhofer W, Kerl H. Treatment with 311-nm ultraviolet B accelerates and improves the clearance of psoriatic lesions in patients treated with etanercept. Br J Dermatol. 2009;160(1):186–9. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2008.08926.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Gambichler T, Tigges C, Scola N, Weber J, Skrygan M, Bechara FG, Altmeyer P, Kreuter A. Etanercept plus narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy of psoriasis is more effective than etanercept monotherapy at 6 weeks. Br J Dermatol. 2011;164(6):1383–6. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2011.10358.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Lynde CW, Gupta AK, Guenther L, Poulin Y, Levesque A, Bissonnette R. A randomized study comparing the combination of nbUVB and etanercept to etanercept monotherapy in patients with psoriasis who do not exhibit an excellent response after 12 weeks of etanercept. J Dermatol Treat. 2012;23(4):261–7. https://doi.org/10.3109/09546634.2011.607795.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Kircik L, Bagel J, Korman N, Menter A, Elmets CA, Koo J, Yang YC, Chiou CF, Dann F, Stevens SR. Utilization of narrow-band ultraviolet light B therapy and etanercept for the treatment of psoriasis (UNITE): efficacy, safety, and patient-reported outcomes. J Drugs Dermatol. 2008;7(3):245–53.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. De Simone C, D’Agostino M, Capizzi R, Capponi A, Venier A, Caldarola G. Combined treatment with etanercept 50 mg once weekly and narrow-band ultraviolet B phototherapy in chronic plaque psoriasis. Eur J Dermatol. 2011;21(4):568–72. https://doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2011.1330.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Calzavara-Pinton PG, Sala R, Arisi M, Rossi MT, Venturini M, Ortel B. Synergism between narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy and etanercept for the treatment of plaque-type psoriasis. Br J Dermatol. 2013;169(1):130–6. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.12277.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Belinchon I, Arribas MP, Soro P, Betlloch I. Recovery of the response to biological treatments using narrow band ultraviolet-B in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis: a retrospective study of 17 patients. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2014;30(6):316–22. https://doi.org/10.1111/phpp.12134.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Park KK, JJ W, Koo J. A randomized, ‘head-to-head’ pilot study comparing the effects of etanercept monotherapy vs. etanercept and narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy in obese psoriasis patients. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2013;27(7):899–906. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-3083.2012.04611.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Wolf P, Hofer A, Weger W, Posch-Fabian T, Gruber-Wackernagel A, Legat FJ. 311 nm ultraviolet B-accelerated response of psoriatic lesions in adalimumab-treated patients. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2011;27(4):186–9. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0781.2011.00594.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Bagel J. Adalimumab plus narrowband ultraviolet B light phototherapy for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis. J Drugs Dermatol. 2011;10(4):366–71.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Wolf P, Weger W, Legat FJ, Posch-Fabian T, Gruber-Wackernagel A, Inzinger M, Salmhofer W, Hofer A. Treatment with 311-nm ultraviolet B enhanced response of psoriatic lesions in ustekinumab-treated patients: a randomized intraindividual trial. Br J Dermatol. 2012;166(1):147–53. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2011.10616.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to April W. Armstrong MD, MPH .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Yim, K.M., Armstrong, A.W. (2018). Combination Therapy with Biologics and Other Systemic Treatments in Psoriasis. In: Yamauchi, P. (eds) Biologic and Systemic Agents in Dermatology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66884-0_23

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66884-0_23

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-66883-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-66884-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics