Combination of secukinumab and acitretin for generalized pustular psoriasis: A case report and review of literature

Abstract

Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is characterized by painful and occasionally disfiguring cutaneous manifestations with sepsis-like systemic symptoms, and is a rare severe variant of psoriasis. Currently, there is no standard treatment for GPP. Here, we report a case of a female patient with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and mild scalp psoriasis, who developed GPP and alopecia following three courses of adalimumab therapy. The patient’s condition gradually improved following cessation of adalimumab and treatment with secukinumab and acitretin. After eight weeks of treatment, the patient achieved almost complete clearance of her psoriasis, her alopecia improved, and her AS was relieved. Therefore, we believe that a combination of secukinumab with acitretin may be a rational approach for the treatment of severe GPP.