Simple English explanation with example
- It controls an enzyme inside cells that manages inflammation levels.
- It helps balance the good and bad messengers in the body.
- It is a pill that reduces skin scaling and joint swelling.
- It keeps your immune system from being too noisy or active.
- Example: A thermostat that keeps a room’s temperature perfectly level.
Scientific explanation
- Otezla (Apremilast) is an oral small-molecule inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4.
- PDE4 inhibition increases intracellular levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP).
- Elevated cAMP modulates the expression of several inflammatory mediators.
- It reduces production of TNF-α, IL-17, and IL-23 in the system.
- It increases anti-inflammatory mediators like IL-10 for better balance.