An Efficacy and Safety Study of CNTO 1275 Compared to Etanercept in Patients With Plaque Psoriasis

The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of CNTO 1275 to etanercept in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

This is a multicenter, randomized (study medication assigned by chance), active-controlled, parallel, 3-arm study. Patients will be randomly (allocation to treatments available by chance) assigned in 3:5:5 ratio to receive one of three treatments groups. The three treatment groups are: Group 1 - CNTO 1275 45 mg dosing at weeks 0 and 4, Group 2 - CNTO 1275 90 mg dosing at weeks 0 and 4, Group 3 - Etanercept 50 mg two times per week through week 12. The total duration for each participant will be up to 64 weeks (approximately 16 months). The active-controlled portion of the study is from Week 0 to Week 12 during which the efficacy and safety of etanercept and 2 dose levels of CNTO 1275 will be evaluated. Treatment after Week 12 is dependent on Physician's Global Assessment (PGA) response at Week 12 and initial treatment assignment. Patients will receive 2 subcutaneous injections of CNTO 1275 (either 45 or 90 mg doses) or twice weekly injections of etanercept during the first twelve weeks of the study. Patients may receive two additional doses of CNTO 1275 (either 45 or 90 mg doses) up to week 44.