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Mechanism of Action

Otezla® (apremilast) inhibits PDE4 intracellularly and has anti-inflammatory properties1-4
  • Mechanism of Action Video
  • Mechanism of Action Diagram

Learn more about the intracellular mechanism of action of Otezla in the video below.

The specific mechanism(s) by which Otezla exerts its therapeutic action in psoriatic arthritis is not well defined.1

Otezla is a non-biologic oral PDE4 inhibitor with a distinct mechanism of action1

The role of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) and cAMP in controlling inflammation2-4

learn about the role of PDE4 and cAMP in controlling inflammation

Inflammatory cell

Visual representation based on preclinical evidence

  • Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is a second messenger for a variety of inflammatory mediators2
  • PDE4 is a cAMP-specific PDE that has been shown to degrade cAMP to AMP in inflammatory cells1,2,5
  • The balance between cAMP and AMP within a cell may modulate the expression of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators4

Otezla inhibits PDE4 intracellularly1

learn about the mechanism of action of Otezla® (apremilast)

Inflammatory cell

Visual representation based on preclinical evidence

  • By elevating cAMP levels, Otezla® (apremilast) is thought to indirectly modulate production of inflammatory mediators3,4
  • The specific mechanism(s) by which apremilast exerts its therapeutic action in patients with psoriatic arthritis is not well defined1

References: 1. Otezla [package insert]. Summit, NJ: Celgene Corporation. 2. Schafer PH, Parton A, Gandhi AK, et al. Br J Pharm. 2010;159(4):842-855. 3. Schafer PH, Parton A, Capone L, et al. Cell Signal. 2014;26(9):2016-2029. 4. Schafer P. Biochem Pharmacol. 2012;83(12):1583-1590. 5. Schett G, Sloan VS, Stevens RM, Schafer P. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2010;2(5):271-278. 6. Gottlieb AB, Matheson RT, Menter A, et al. J Drugs Dermatol. 2013;12(8):888-897. 7. Moore AR, Willoughby DA. Clin Exp Immunol. 1995;101(3):387-389. 8. Data on file, Celgene Corporation.

Indications & Important Safety Information

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Reference: 1. Data on file, Celgene Corporation.
01/18 USII-APR180004