Although the efficacy of apremilast is lower compared to modern biologics (e.g. secukinumab, ixekizumab), the drug offers unique practical advantages: oral administration, absence of pre-treatment screening for tuberculosis and chronic hepatitis, and no requirement for laboratory monitoring. With patent expiration and the arrival of generics, apremilast may represent a potential cost-effective 'first-line systemic' option for pediatric patients who are not candidates for or are reluctant to accept injectable therapies.
Lernia et al. (Sat,) studied this question.
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