Apremilast can be safely and effectively combined with phototherapy, systemic, and/or biological agents in patients with plaque psoriasis not responding adequately to these agents alone. Gastrointestinal side effects were manageable in the majority of patients.

The IL-23/Th17 signaling pathway (including IL-17) plays a central role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Biologic agents that block IL-17 (secukinumab and ixekizumab) or its receptor (brodalumab) are effective and safe for the treatment of psoriasis.

Background: Erosive oral lichen planus and desquamative gingivitis are uncommon but severe debilitating variants of oral lichen planus. Treatment of these presentations is difficult and challenging. Main observation:A 44-year-old woman was referred to the dermatology clinic with chronic painful lichen planus-related gingivitis and buccal erosions. She has failed multiple treatments including topical clobetasol and tacrolimus, intralesional corticosteroids and several systemic and immunosuppressive agents. Following completion of three months of treatment with oral apremilast at a dose of 30 mg twice daily, significant improvement was noted in her disease activity. Conclusion:Oral apremilast may be a safe and effective treatment for erosive oral lichen planus. (J Dermatol Case Rep. 2016; 10(3): 56-57) Treatment of recalcitrant erosive oral lichen planus and desquamative gingivitis with oral apremilast