Study of Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Fusion Protein Etanercept (Enbrel) in Psoriasis of the Hands and/or Feet

Phase 1

Completed

Conditions: Psoriasis

Interventions: Other: Placebo injections
Biological: Etanercept

Registration Number: NCT00585650

Lead Sponsor: University of California, Irvine

Brief Summary: The purpose of this research study is to see how well (compared to placebo) Enbrel® (etanercept) 50 mg twice a week for 12 weeks affects plaque psoriasis of the hands and/or feet (palmoplantar psoriasis).

Detailed Description: This multicenter investigation is a 12 week, double-blind, randomized trial of etanercept, 50 mg twice weekly versus placebo in subjects with palmoplantar psoriasis (PPP). Subjects who meet the eligibility criteria will be randomized to either 50 mg etanercept twice weekly or placebo. Subcutaneous injections will occur twice weekly at approximately the same time of day over the 12-week treatment period. The primary efficacy endpoint will be assessed after 12 weeks of treatment. At the end of the first 12 weeks, all patients (both treatment and placebo arms) will be treated with etanercept 50 mg twice a week (BIW) for an additional 12 weeks.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: COMPLETED

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 20

Inclusion Criteria

Moderate to severe palmar plantar psoriasis based on physician's global assessment (PGA).
Between 18 and 70 years of age
Negative urine pregnancy test at screening and at baseline
Sexually active men and women of child-bearing potential must agree to use a medically accepted form of contraception (birth control) during the exclusionary medicine wash-out period and throughout the study.
Ability to self inject study drug or have a designee who can do so
Capable of understanding and giving written voluntary informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

Previous treatment with Enbrel® (etanercept) or similar drugs
Receipt of investigational drugs or "biologics" within 4 weeks of the screening visit.
Evidence of skin conditions (e.g. eczema) other than psoriasis that would interfere with evaluations of the study medication.
Receipt of any biologic medication within the previous 6 months that resulted in a decreased white blood cell count (cells to help fight infections)
Ultraviolet light treatment (e.g. UVB, PUVA) within one month prior to study drug initiation.
Receipt of immune-suppressing drugs other than Rheumatrex® (methotrexate) or Soriatane® (acetretin) within 4 weeks prior to the first dose of study drug. Medications you would not be allowed to take during this study include for example, Cytoxan® (cyclosporine), Imuran® (azathioprine), or Sulfazine® (sulfasalazine). If you remain on Rheumatrex® (methotrexate) (≤25 mg/week) or Soriatane® (acitretin) (≤50 mg/day), you must be considered to have inadequate disease control in the opinion of the investigator based on physician's global assessment. You must have been on a stable dose of systemic treatment for at least 1 month prior to the start of the study medication. You will be required to maintain a stable dose of the systemic treatment throughout the study.
Use of topical steroids in the past 14 days unless they have been used for longer than 14 days and the severity of disease allows entry into study.
Systemic steroid use (prednisone, etc).
Prior or concurrent use of Cytoxan® (cyclophosphamide).
Elevated liver tests; red blood cell count less than normal; decreased platelet count (cells to help with blood clotting); decreased white blood cell count (cells to fight infection); kidney insufficiency
Any severe adverse event, infection or abnormal laboratory value at the time of the screening visit that would preclude participation in the study
Presence of a severe infection, less than 30 days prior to the screening visit or between the screening visit and the first dose of study drug
Pregnant or breast-feeding females.
Significant concurrent medical diseases including: Uncompensated congestive heart failure (heart is unable to pump as normal): Myocardial infarction (heart attack) within 12 months of screening period; Unstable or stable angina pectoris (chest pains related to your heart); Uncontrolled high blood pressure
Severe lung disease requiring medical or oxygen therapy
History of cancer (other than surgically removed skin cancer and in situ cervical cancer) within 5 years of the screening visit
History of tuberculosis
Known to be HIV positive
Rheumatoid arthritis
Any neurologic demyelinating disease (such as multiple sclerosis or any neurologic disease causing loss of sensation or loss of normal movement) or seizure disorder
Current or history of psychiatric disease that would interfere with ability to comply with the study protocol or give informed consent.
History of alcohol or drug abuse.
Not up-to-date with all immunizations in agreement with the current immunization guidelines
Significant exposure to the varicella virus (chicken pox)
Guttate or generalized pustular psoriasis
Surgery or trauma within a month of baseline considered by the investigator to represent a significant risk or interfere with patient evaluation.

Study & Design

Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL

Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Placebo Group	Placebo injections	Placebo Injections twice weekly for 12 weeks
Treatment Group	Etanercept	Etanercept (Enbrel) 50mg twice weekly injections for 12 weeks

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The Number of Subjects Who Achieve a 50% Reduction in the Palmoplantar Psoriasis Severity Index at 12 Weeks.	Week 12	Psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) is the most widely used tool for the measurement of severity of psoriasis. This tool is used to assess the skin lesions of the entire body however, the palmoplantar psoriasis severity index (PPPASI) is a modified form of the the PASI that is assessed for skin lesions of the hands and feet only. The severity is estimated by three clinical signs: erythema induration and desquamation. Severity parameters are measured on a scale of 0 to 4, with 4 being the most severe.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method

Trial Locations

Locations (3): UC Irvine Dermatology Clinical Research Center
🇺🇸
Irvine, California, United States
Dermatology Associates, PLLC
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Seattle, Washington, United States
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
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Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States