Effect of Adalimumab on Vascular Inflammation in Patients With Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis

This study is to determine the effect of adalimumab on inflammation of blood vessels that could lead to heart attack in patients with psoriasis. Changes to the carotid artery and ascending aorta will be evaluated in patients treated with adalimumab (systemic treatment) and compared against patients treated with a topical treatment that does not affect the entire body.

Psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been shown to be independent risk factors for myocardial infarction (MI). The risk is believed to be related in part to systemic inflammation associated with these diseases. Some studies have suggested that treatment of RA patients with anti-TNF alpha can decrease the risks of MI. However, we do not have data on the effect of anti-TNF alpha on coronary atherosclerosis. Adalimumab is probably the best anti-TNF alpha candidate to study for an effect on coronary atherosclerosis as it has more affinity for membrane bound TNF alpha than other anti-TNF alpha products such as etanercept and a higher global anti-TNF alpha activity in psoriasis patients.

This study involves a comparison of adalimumab administered sub-cutaneously with a loading dose of 80 mg followed by 40 mg at week 1 and 40 mg every other week thereafter for a total of 10 injections (two 40 mg injections at week 0 for a total dose of 80 mg, followed by single injections at weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15) with non systemic treatments for psoriasis (topical therapy and/or UVB therapy). Patients will be randomized (2:1) to either adalimumab or topical and/or UVB therapy for psoriasis.

If this pilot study shows that adalimumab reduces vascular inflammation in patients with psoriasis, a larger study could be undertaken to study the effect of adalimumab on coronary atherosclerotic plaques.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* 18-80 years old and capable of giving informed consent.
* at least a 6-month history of chronic moderate to severe psoriasis and a candidate for systemic therapy.
* BSA covered with psoriasis of at least 5 % or more at Baseline.
* An history of coronary atherosclerosis or at least three risk factors among the following: hypertension, active smoking, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, obesity, microalbuminuria, age above 55 years, and first degree relative with coronary atherosclerosis before 65 years.
* Patient must be on a stable dose for at least 8 weeks before baseline if taking medications used to control angina, hypertension, serum lipids and any medication that can have an effect on inflammation.
* Patient has a carotid or ascending aorta atherosclerotic plaque inflammation target-to background ratio of 1.6 or more as determined by 18-FDG uptake measured by PET scanning.
* Female patient is either not of childbearing potential, defined as postmenopausal for at least 1 year or surgically sterile, or is of childbearing potential and practicing one of the following methods of birth control throughout the study and for 150 days after study completion:

  * condoms, sponge, foams, jellies, diaphragm or IUD.
  * contraceptives for three months prior to study drug administration
  * a vasectomized partner.
* Female patient of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test at the Screening visit.
* Patient is judged to be in good general health as determined by the principal investigator.
* Patient will be evaluated for latent TB infection with a PPD or a Quantiferon Gold test and CXR. Patient who demonstrates evidence of latent TB infection will only be allowed to participate in the study if they are willing to use TB prophylaxis according to Canadian guidelines
* Patient must be able and willing to provide written informed consent and comply with the requirements of this study protocol.
* Patient must be able and willing to self-administer SC injections or have a qualified person available to administer SC injections.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patient has other active skin diseases or skin infections (that may interfere with evaluation of psoriasis or with patient's safety.
* Patient has a history of an allergic reaction or significant sensitivity to constituents of study drug, including latex.
* Patient used any non-biological systemic therapy for the treatment of psoriasis less than 30 days before Day 0. Investigational chemical agents must be discontinued at least 30 days or five half-lives prior to the Baseline visit (whichever is longer).
* Patient who has used any biological therapy for the treatment of psoriasis less than 3 months (90 days) before Day 0.
* Patient is taking or requires oral or injectable corticosteroids during the study. Inhaled corticosteroids for stable medical conditions are allowed.
* Patient has used any topical treatment for psoriasis or has used phototherapy within the last 2 weeks prior to baseline (at the exception of low strength (hydrocortisone and desonide) topical corticosteroid for the face, groin (including genitals) and inframammary areas).
* Patient has received Anakinra/Kineret within the last 2 weeks prior to the Baseline visit or is likely to receive Anakinra/Kineret during the course of the study.
* Patient has a poorly controlled medical condition, such as uncontrolled diabetes, documented history of recurrent infections, unstable ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure a left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 40%, recent stroke, chronic leg ulcer or any other condition which, in the opinion of the investigator, would put the patient at risk if participating in the study.
* Patient had a myocardial infarction or hospitalization for a cardiac condition within the past 12 weeks.
* Patient has a history of acute coronary syndrome, percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass graft, or carotid revascularization within 12 weeks of baseline.
* Patient for whom a change in medical treatment for angina, serum lipids, hypertension or any other medication that can have a significant effect on inflammation is planned for the duration of the study.
* Patient has a history of neurologic symptoms suggestive of central nervous system demyelinating disease.
* Patient has history of cancer or lymphoproliferative disease other than a successfully treated non-metastatic cutaneous squamous cell or basal cell carcinoma and/or localized carcinoma in situ of the cervix.
* Patient has a history of listeriosis, treated or untreated TB, persistent chronic infections, or recent active infections requiring hospitalization or treatment with intravenous anti-infectives within 30 days or oral anti-infectives within 14 days prior to the Baseline visit.
* Patient has received any live attenuated vaccine 28 days or less before baseline.
* Patient with hepatitis B or hepatitis C viral infection.
* Patient with any of the following: hemoglobin = 10 g/L, white blood cell count = 3.0 X 109/L, platelet count =130 X 109/L, ALT = 2 times the upper limit of normal, AST = 2 times the upper normal limit, total bilirubin = 2 times the upper normal limit or creatinine = 150 umol/L.
* Patient is currently using or plans to use anti-retroviral therapy at any time during the study.
* Patient is known to have immune deficiency or is immunocompromised.
* Female patient who is pregnant or breast-feeding or considering becoming pregnant during the study or for 150 days after the last dose of study medication.
* Patient has a history of clinically significant drug or alcohol abuse in the last year.
* Patient is considered by the investigator, for any reason, to be an unsuitable candidate for the study.