Pfizer’s phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor efficacious in atopic dermatitis, psoriasis
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MILAN — A basket study of a new topical phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor demonstrated efficacy superior to that of placebo in mild to moderate plaque psoriasis.
PF-07038124, an oxaborole-based phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor from Pfizer, modulated production of multiple cytokines.
A basket study of a new topical phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor demonstrated efficacy superior to that of placebo in mild to moderate plaque psoriasis.
“There is a desire to come up with an essentially stronger PDE4 inhibitor based on osaborole technology,” Lawrence F. Eichenfield, MD, chief of pediatric and adolescent dermatology at Rady Children’s Hospital and professor of dermatology and pediatrics and vice-chair of the department of dermatology at UC San Diego School of Medicine, told Healio.
At the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress, Eichenfield presented results of the double-blind phase 2a study, which included patients with mild to moderate AD or plaque psoriasis who were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive once-daily topical PF-07038124 or vehicle for 6 weeks with a follow-up period of 4 to 5 weeks.
In patients with AD, a mean difference of –39.4 in EASI score was reported vs. vehicle, whereas a mean difference in PASI score compared with vehicle was –4.9 in those with psoriasis.
An improvement of at least 4 points on the Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale occurred in 41.2% of the patients with AD on PF-07038124, compared with 13.8% of those on vehicle.
At week 6, IGA response was significantly greater in patients with AD using PF-07038124 compared with vehicle (P = .0004). In the psoriasis population, Physician Global Assessment scores were also greater in the treatment group; however, it was not statistically significant.
Treatment-emergent adverse events were experienced by 26% of patients, with a higher number in the vehicle group experiencing adverse events compared with the two treatment groups.
“These studies seem to have very good standard efficacy and outcome measures with a marked differentiation from vehicle, especially in the AD group,” Eichenfield said. “We know it’s exciting to see new topicals come along, along with the new systemics in the field. There’s still a clinical need for nonsteroids that can bring efficacy and are well tolerated.”