Deucravacitinib versus placebo and apremilast in moderate to severe plaque psoriasis: Efficacy and safety results from the 52-week, randomized, double-blinded, phase 3 Program fOr Evaluation of TYK2 inhibitor psoriasis second trial

Effectiveness and safety of deucravacitinib treatment for moderate-to-severe psoriasis in real-world clinical practice in Japan

BACKGROUND

Deucravacitinib is a selective oral tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor recently approved for psoriasis.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to evaluate the real-world effectiveness and safety of deucravacitinib for psoriasis.

METHODS

We analyzed 33 Japanese patients with psoriasis (23 with plaque psoriasis, eight with psoriatic arthritis, and two with erythrodermic psoriasis) from January 2023 to October 2023. All patients received deucravacitinib 6 mg daily until week 16.

RESULTS

At week 8, 12, or 16, the achievement rate of PASI 75 was 60.9%, 73.9%, or 78.3%, that of PASI 90 was 13.0%, 39.1%, or 52.2%, that of PASI 100 was 0%, 8.7%, or 13.0%, that of absolute PASI ≤2 was 34.8%, 65.2%, or 78.3%, respectively. The achievement rate of dermatology life quality index 0/1 at week 16 was 42.9%. Fourteen patients (42%) complained pruritus. Peak pruritus-numerical rating scale in patients with pruritus decreased by median [interquartile] 71.4 [50-80] % of baseline at week 2. Adverse events occurred in 18.2% of patients, which were mild and manageable.

CONCLUSIONS

Deucravacitinib for patients with psoriasis was well-tolerated and gave favorable therapeutic effects in the real-world practice. Deucravacitinib treatment rapidly reduced pruritus.

Targeted therapy for immune mediated skin diseases. What should a dermatologist know?

BACKGROUND

Molecularly targeted therapies, such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and Janus Kinase inhibitors (JAKis), have emerged as essential tools in the treatment of dermatological diseases. These therapies modulate the immune system through specific signaling pathways, providing effective alternatives to traditional systemic immunosuppressive agents. This review aims to provide an updated summary of targeted immune therapies for inflammatory skin diseases, considering their pathophysiology, efficacy, dosage, and safety profiles.

METHODS

The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A systematic search was conducted on PubMed over the past 10 years, focusing on randomized clinical trials, case reports, and case series related to targeted immune therapies in dermatology. Eligibility criteria were applied, and data were extracted from each study, including citation data, study design, and results.

RESULTS

We identified 1360 non-duplicate articles with the initial search strategy. Title and abstract review excluded 1150, while a full-text review excluded an additional 50 articles. The review included 143 studies published between 2012 and 2022, highlighting 39 drugs currently under investigation or in use for managing inflammatory skin diseases.

STUDY LIMITATIONS

The heterogeneity of summarized information limits this review. Some recommendations originated from data from clinical trials, while others relied on retrospective analyses and small case series. Recommendations will likely be updated as new results emerge.

CONCLUSION

Targeted therapies have revolutionized the treatment of chronic skin diseases, offering new options for patients unresponsive to standard treatments. Paradoxical reactions are rarely observed. Further studies are needed to fully understand the mechanisms and nature of these therapies. Overall, targeted immune therapies in dermatology represent a promising development, significantly improving the quality of life for patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases.

The Psoriasis Treatment Pipeline: An Overview and Update

Significant research advances in our understanding of psoriatic disease have led to the development of several highly selective, effective, and safe topical and systemic treatments. These treatments have led to unprecedented levels of disease clearance and control for most patients with psoriasis with cutaneous disease. However, there remains a need for improved treatments for those patients with recalcitrant disease, psoriatic arthritis, or nonplaque disease variants. Recently approved therapies and investigational products in ongoing clinical development programs that target IL-17A/F, IL-23, TYK2, PDE4, AhR or IL-36 cytokine signaling are improving the clinician's ability to care for a broader range of patients affected by psoriasis.

Sequential immunotherapy: towards cures for autoimmunity

Despite major progress in the treatment of autoimmune diseases in the past two decades, most therapies do not cure disease and can be associated with increased risk of infection through broad suppression of the immune system. However, advances in understanding the causes of autoimmune disease and clinical data from novel therapeutic modalities such as chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapies provide evidence that it may be possible to re-establish immune homeostasis and, potentially, prolong remission or even cure autoimmune diseases. Here, we propose a 'sequential immunotherapy' framework for immune system modulation to help achieve this ambitious goal. This framework encompasses three steps: controlling inflammation; resetting the immune system through elimination of pathogenic immune memory cells; and promoting and maintaining immune homeostasis via immune regulatory agents and tissue repair. We discuss existing drugs and those in development for each of the three steps. We also highlight the importance of causal human biology in identifying and prioritizing novel immunotherapeutic strategies as well as informing their application in specific patient subsets, enabling precision medicine approaches that have the potential to transform clinical care.

Efficacy and safety of deucravacitinib for the management of psoriasis: a drug safety evaluation

INTRODUCTION

Nowadays, despite the wide availability of biological drugs and apremilast for psoriasis management, there is always a need for new therapies to customize the therapeutic approach on the basis of the patient's clinical features and comorbidities, especially in order to achieve a prolonged therapeutic response. Thus, new treatment strategies are required to offer patients a personalized approach. In this scenario, major knowledge on psoriasis pathogenesis led to the development of deucravacitinib, an orally administered selective TYK2 inhibitor.

AREAS COVERED

The aim of this manuscript is to review the current literature on the effectiveness and safety of deucravacitinib in psoriasis to offer readers a wide perspective. The current English literature was analyzed using the PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, Cochrane Skin, and clinicaltrials.gov databases, selecting the most relevant manuscripts.

EXPERT OPINION

Deucravacitinib appears to be an innovative weapon for the management of moderate to severe psoriasis. Despite its efficacy and safety profiles have been revealed by RCTs, real-life data are still scant. Certainly, deucravacitinib broadens the range of therapeutic alternatives for psoriasis patients, thus enhancing the holistic and personalized approaches required for the treatment of this disease.

Review: A Contemporary, Multifaced Insight into Psoriasis Pathogenesis

Psoriasis is a chronic recurrent inflammatory autoimmune pathology with a significant genetic component and several interferences of immunological cells and their cytokines. The complex orchestration of psoriasis pathogenesis is related to the synergic effect of immune cells, polygenic alterations, autoantigens, and several other external factors. The major act of the IL-23/IL-17 axis, strongly influencing the inflammatory pattern established during the disease activity, is visible as a continuous perpetuation of the pro-inflammatory response and keratinocyte activation and proliferation, leading to the development of psoriatic lesions. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) offer a better view of psoriasis pathogenic pathways, with approximately one-third of psoriasis's genetic impact on psoriasis development associated with the MHC region, with genetic loci located on chromosome 6. The most eloquent genetic factor of psoriasis, PSORS1, was identified in the MHC I site. Among the several factors involved in its complex etiology, dysbiosis, due to genetic or external stimulus, induces a burst of pro-inflammatory consequences; both the cutaneous and gut microbiome get involved in the psoriasis pathogenic process. Cutting-edge research studies and comprehensive insights into psoriasis pathogenesis, fostering novel genetic, epigenetic, and immunological factors, have generated a spectacular improvement over the past decades, securing the path toward a specific and targeted immunotherapeutic approach and delayed progression to inflammatory arthritis. This review aimed to offer insight into various domains that underline the pathogenesis of psoriasis and how they influence disease development and evolution. The pathogenesis mechanism of psoriasis is multifaceted and involves an interplay of cellular and humoral immunity, which affects susceptible microbiota and the genetic background. An in-depth understanding of the role of pathogenic factors forms the basis for developing novel and individualized therapeutic targets that can improve disease management.

JAKinhibs in Psoriatic Disease: Analysis of the Efficacy/Safety Profile in Daily Clinical Practice

Psoriatic disease (PsD) affects multiple clinical domains and causes a significant inflammatory burden in patients, requiring comprehensive evaluation and treatment. In recent years, new molecules such as JAK inhibitors (JAKinhibs) have been developed. These have very clear advantages: they act quickly, have a beneficial effect on pain, are well tolerated and the administration route is oral. Despite all this, there is still little scientific evidence in daily clinical practice. This observational, retrospective, single-center study was carried out in patients diagnosed with PsA in the last two years, who started treatment with Tofacitinib or Upadacitinib due to failure of a DMARD. The data of 32 patients were analyzed, and the majority of them (75%) started treatment with Tofacitinib. Most had moderate arthritis activity and mild psoriasis involvement according to activity indices. Both Tofacitinib and Upadacitinib demonstrated significant efficacy, with rapid and statistically significant improvement in joint and skin activity indices, C-reactive protein reduction, and objective measures of disease activity such as the number of painful and inflamed joints. Although there was some difference in the baseline characteristics of the cohort, treatment responses were comparable or even superior to those in the pivotal clinical trials. In addition, there was a low frequency of mild adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation and no serious adverse events. These findings emphasize the strong efficacy and tolerability of JAKinhibs in daily clinical practice, supporting their role as effective therapeutic options for patients with PsD.

Inhibition of the JAK-STAT Pathway in the Treatment of Psoriasis: A Review of the Literature

Psoriasis is a highly prevalent dermatological disease associated with an increased systemic inflammatory response. In addition, joint involvement is also present in around 20% of patients. Therefore, treatment modalities used in this condition should be simultaneously effective at improving skin manifestations, reducing inflammation, and addressing psoriatic arthritis when present. Twenty years ago, the introduction of biologic treatments for psoriasis was a turning point in the management of this condition, offering an effective and reasonably safe option for patients whose disease could not be adequately controlled with conventional therapies. At the moment, Janus Kinase inhibitors (JAKis) are a new class of promising molecules in the management of psoriasis. They are orally administered and can show benefits in patients who failed biologic therapy. We conducted a scoping review in order to identify randomized-controlled trials that investigated different JAKis in patients with plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, with an emphasis on molecules that have been approved by the European Medicines Agency and the Food and Drug Administration. The added value of this study is that it collected information about JAKis approved for two different indications, plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, in order to provide an integrated understanding of the range of effects that JAKis have on the whole spectrum of psoriasis manifestations.

Deucravacitinib in plaque psoriasis: 2-year safety and efficacy results from the phase III POETYK trials

BACKGROUND

In the phase III POETYK PSO-1 and PSO-2 trials, deucravacitinib, an oral selective allosteric tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor, was well tolerated and efficacious over 1 year in patients with psoriasis.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate deucravacitinib safety and efficacy over 2 years in patients participating in the phase III trials.

METHODS

In the POETYK long-term extension (LTE), an ongoing phase IIIb open-label trial, adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who completed PSO-1 or PSO-2 receive deucravacitinib 6 mg once daily. Safety was assessed via adverse events (AEs) and laboratory parameter abnormalities. Efficacy endpoints, including ≥ 75% reduction from baseline Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score (PASI 75) and static Physician's Global Assessment (sPGA) score of 0/1 (clear/almost clear), were evaluated in patients originally randomized to deucravacitinib, patients who crossed over from placebo at week 16 and patients who achieved PASI 75 at week 24 (peak efficacy).

RESULTS

At data cutoff (1 October 2021), 1519 patients had received at least one dose of deucravacitinib; 79.0% and 39.9% had ≥ 52 weeks and ≥ 104 weeks of total deucravacitinib exposure, respectively. Exposure-adjusted incidence rates (EAIRs) per 100 person-years were similar at 1 year and 2 years for any AEs (229.2 vs. 154.4, respectively), serious AEs (5.7 vs. 6.1), discontinuations (4.4 vs. 2.8), deaths (0.2 vs. 0.4), serious infections (1.7 vs. 2.6), herpes zoster (0.9 vs. 0.8), major adverse cardiovascular events (0.3 vs. 0.4), venous thromboembolic events (0.2 vs. 0.1) and malignancies (1.0 vs. 0.9). EAIRs for COVID-19 infections were higher at 2 years than at 1 year (5.1 vs. 0.5) owing to the peak of the global COVID-19 pandemic occurring during the LTE. No clinically meaningful changes from baseline or trends were observed over 2 years in haematological, chemistry or lipid parameters. Clinical responses were maintained in patients who received continuous deu-cravacitinib treatment from baseline [PASI 75: week 52, 72.4%; week 112, 79.7%; sPGA 0/1: week 52, 57.9%; week 112, 61.1% (as observed)]. Responses at week 52 were also maintained in placebo crossovers and in week-24 PASI-75 responders.

CONCLUSIONS

Deucravacitinib maintained efficacy and demonstrated consistent safety with no new safety signals observed through 2 years.

TYK2 inhibition with deucravacitinib ameliorates erosive oral lichen planus

Erosive oral lichen planus (OLP) is a challenging disease. This T cell driven disorder frequently shows a treatment unresponsive course and strongly limits patients' quality of life. The disease lacks FDA or EMA approved drugs for its treatment and the efficacy of the commonly administered treatments (i.e. topical and systemic steroids, steroid sparing agents) is often only partial. Although the etiopathogenesis of the disease still needs to be fully elucidated, recent advances helped to identify interferon-ɣ (IFN-ɣ) as a pivotal cytokine in OLP pathogenesis, thus making the interference with its signalling a therapeutic target. Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors therefore gained relevance for their inhibitory effect on IFN-ɣ signalling. While some drugs such as abrocitinib, upadacitinib, tofacitinib directly interfere with IFN-ɣ signalling through blockade of JAK1 and/or JAK2, deucravacitinib, a selective TYK-2 inhibitor indirectly interferes on IFN-ɣ activation through interference with interleukin (IL)-12, a potent promotor for Th1/IFN-ɣ responses. This mechanism of action makes deucravacitinib a candidate drug for the treatment of OLP. Here we provide initial evidence that deucravacitinib 6 mg daily has a beneficial effect in three patients with oral OLP.

Clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of oral systemic nonbiologic therapies for psoriasis patients

INTRODUCTION

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory immune condition. Treatments for psoriasis vary with disease severity, ranging from topicals to systemic biologic agents. The pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) properties of these therapies establish drug efficacy, toxicity, and optimal dosing to ensure therapeutic drug levels are sustained and adverse effects are minimized.

AREAS COVERED

A literature search was performed on PubMed, Google Scholar, and Ovid MEDLINE for PK and PD, efficacy, and safety data regarding oral systemic nonbiologic therapies utilized for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The findings were organized into sections for each drug: oral acitretin, methotrexate, cyclosporine, apremilast, tofacitinib, and deucravacitinib.

EXPERT OPINION

Some psoriasis patients may not respond to initial therapy. Ongoing research is evaluating genetic polymorphisms that may predict an improved response to specific medications. However, financial and insurance barriers, as well as limited genetic polymorphisms correlated with treatment response, may restrict the implementation of genetic testing necessary to personalize treatments. How well psoriasis patients adhere to treatment may contribute greatly to variation in response. Therapeutic drug monitoring may help patients adhere to treatment, improve clinical response, and sustain disease control.

Deucravacitinib: The First FDA-Approved Oral TYK2 Inhibitor for Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to review the safety and efficacy of deucravacitinib, a tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

DATA SOURCES

Literature was reviewed from MEDLINE and Clinicaltrials.gov up to December 2022 using the terms "deucravacitinib" and "BMS-986165."

STUDY SELECTION

Relevant articles in English relating to the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of deucravacitinib were included. A total of 6 trial results were included.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

Deucravacitinib showed clinical efficacy across all the phase II and III clinical trials. Excluding the long-term extension study, there were 2248 subjects across all studies, with 63.2% of patients receiving deucravacitinib 6 mg daily. Of these subjects, the average proportion achieving a PASI 75 (a reduction of greater than 75% in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) at week 16 was 65.1%. Patients receiving deucravacitinib 6 mg once daily had a higher rate of achieving both PASI 75 response and a Static Physician's Global Assessment (sPGA) score of 0 or 1, compared with oral apremilast 30 mg twice daily. The safety profile of deucravacitinib includes mild adverse events (AEs), most commonly nasopharyngitis, with serious AEs reported ranging from 1.35% to 9.5%.

RELEVANCE TO PATIENT CARE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE IN COMPARISON WITH EXISTING MEDICATIONS

While many available therapies for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis rely on an injectable dosage form or extensive monitoring, deucravacitinib can potentially reduce patient medication-related burden. This review summarizes the efficacy and safety of oral deucravacitinib for the treatment of severe plaque psoriasis.

CONCLUSION

Deucravacitinib shows a consistent efficacy and safety profile as the first oral TYK2 inhibitor approved for adult patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are eligible for systemic therapy or phototherapy treatment.

TYK2: an emerging therapeutic target in rheumatic disease

Tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) is a member of the JAK kinase family of intracellular signalling molecules. By participating in signalling pathways downstream of type I interferons, IL-12, IL-23 and IL-10, TYK2 elicits a distinct set of immune events to JAK1, JAK2 and JAK3. TYK2 polymorphisms have been associated with susceptibility to various rheumatic diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus and dermatomyositis. In vitro and animal studies substantiate these findings, highlighting a role for TYK2 in diseases currently managed by antagonists of cytokines that signal through TYK2. Various inhibitors of TYK2 have now been studied in human disease, and one of these inhibitors, deucravacitinib, has now been approved for the treatment of psoriasis. Phase II trials of deucravacitinib have also reported positive results in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, with a preliminary safety profile that seems to differ from that of the JAK1, JAK2 and JAK3 inhibitors. Two other inhibitors of TYK2, brepocitinib and ropsacitinib, are also in earlier stages of clinical trials. Overall, TYK2 inhibitors hold promise for the treatment of a distinct spectrum of autoimmune diseases and could potentially have a safety profile that differs from other JAK inhibitors.

Deucravacitinib, a selective, allosteric tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor, in scalp psoriasis: A subset analysis of two phase 3 randomized trials in plaque psoriasis

BACKGROUND

Scalp involvement in plaque psoriasis is challenging to treat.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of deucravacitinib (DEUC) in scalp psoriasis.

METHODS

POETYK PSO-1 and PSO-2 were global phase 3, 52-week, double-blinded trials in adults with moderate to severe psoriasis. Patients were randomized 1:2:1 to oral placebo, DEUC 6 mg once daily, or apremilast 30 mg twice daily. This pooled secondary analysis evaluated scalp-specific Physician Global Assessment score of 0 or 1 (0/1), ≥90% improvement from baseline in Psoriasis Scalp Severity Index, and change from baseline in Psoriasis Scalp Severity Index. Adverse events were evaluated through week 16.

RESULTS

Overall, 1084 patients with moderate to severe scalp psoriasis at baseline were included. At week 16, response rates were greater with DEUC versus placebo or apremilast for scalp-specific Physician Global Assessment 0/1 (64.0% vs 17.3% vs 37.7%; P < .0001), ≥90% improvement from baseline in Psoriasis Scalp Severity Index (50.6% vs 10.5% vs 26.1%; P < .0001), and change from baseline in Psoriasis Scalp Severity Index. Responses were maintained through 52 weeks with continuous DEUC. Safety was consistent with the entire study population.

LIMITATIONS

Lack of data in milder scalp psoriasis.

CONCLUSION

DEUC was significantly more efficacious than placebo or apremilast in improving moderate to severe scalp psoriasis and was well tolerated.

Improvements in Patient-Reported Outcomes After Treatment With Deucravacitinib in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis: Results From a Randomized Phase 2 Trial

OBJECTIVE

Deucravacitinib, a tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor, was assessed in a phase 2 trial in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Here, we report effects of deucravacitinib from the patient perspective.

METHODS

This phase 2, double-blind trial (NCT03881059) randomized patients with active PsA 1:1:1 to deucravacitinib 6 mg once daily (QD), 12 mg QD, or placebo, for 16 weeks. Key secondary end points were changes from baseline (CFBs) at week 16 in Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) physical component summary (PCS) scores. Additional patient-reported outcomes (PROs) assessed disease impact, including fatigue, pain, and mental health. The mean CFBs in PROs and percentages of patients reporting improvements with minimum clinically important differences (MCIDs) or scores of greater than normal values were also assessed.

RESULTS

This study comprised 203 patients (51.2% female; mean ± SD age, 49.8 ± 13.5 years). At week 16, the adjusted mean difference (95% confidence interval) versus placebo in HAQ-DI and SF-36 PCS CFB was significant for each deucravacitinib group (HAQ-DI 6 mg, -0.26 [-0.42 to -0.10], P = 0.0020; HAQ-DI 12 mg, -0.28 [-0.45 to -0.12], P = 0.0008; SF-36 PCS 6 mg, 3.3 [0.9 to 5.7], P = 0.0062; SF-36 PCS 12 mg, 3.5 [1.1 to 5.9], P = 0.0042). MCID at week 16 were reported for all PROs with either dose of deucravacitinib. Improvements of MCID or to normative values were reported by more patients receiving deucravacitinib than placebo.

CONCLUSION

Deucravacitinib groups demonstrate significant and clinically meaningful improvements in PROs versus placebo in patients with active PsA, which warrants further study.

The efficacy and safety of deucravacitinib compared to methotrexate, in patients with vulvar lichen planus who have failed topical therapy with potent corticosteroids: a study protocol for a single-centre double-blinded randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Vulvar lichen planus (VLP) is a chronic vulvar dermatosis that is difficult to treat and can severely impair quality of life in the absence of adequate treatment. There is a lack of high-quality evidence to direct therapy for VLP. This randomised controlled trial will be the first double-blinded study comparing systemic treatments in VLP and aims to investigate the safety and efficacy of deucravacitinib compared to methotrexate, in patients with VLP who have failed treatment with potent topical corticosteroids.

METHODS

A total of 116 women aged ≥ 18 years with moderate to severe VLP (Genital Erosive Lichen Planus (GELP) score ≥ 5) will be recruited. All participants will initially be treated with Diprosone® OV daily, and their outcome will be assessed using the GELP score. At 8 weeks' follow-up, responders (GELP < 5) will be continued on Diprosone® OV. Non-responders (GELP ≥ 5) will be randomised 1:1 in a blinded fashion to receive (i) methotrexate 10 mg weekly + placebo tablet twice daily + folic acid 5 mg weekly or (ii) deucravacitinib 6 mg twice daily + placebo tablet weekly + folic acid 5 mg weekly. The primary endpoint is the difference in the mean change of GELP scores from baseline to week 32 between deucravacitinib and methotrexate groups.

DISCUSSION

High-quality evidence guiding the management of women with VLP is lacking. Once completed, this will be the first double-blinded RCT to compare systemic treatments in VLP. The results of this study will provide valuable, high-quality data to guide second-line therapy options for VLP that is recalcitrant to potent topical corticosteroids.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12623000682640. Registered on 26 June 2023.

Deucravacitinib in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis: Pooled safety and tolerability over 52 weeks from two phase 3 trials (POETYK PSO-1 and PSO-2)

BACKGROUND

Two phase 3 trials, POETYK PSO-1 and PSO-2, previously established the efficacy and overall safety of deucravacitinib, an oral, selective, allosteric tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor, in plaque psoriasis.

OBJECTIVES

To further assess the safety of deucravacitinib over 52 weeks in the pooled population from these two trials.

METHODS

Pooled safety data were evaluated from PSO-1 and PSO-2 in which patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis were randomized 1:2:1 to receive oral placebo, deucravacitinib or apremilast.

RESULTS

A total of 1683 patients were included in the pooled analysis. Adverse event (AE) incidence rates were similar in each treatment group, serious AEs were low and balanced across groups, and discontinuation rates were lower with deucravacitinib versus placebo or apremilast. No new safety signals emerged with longer deucravacitinib treatment. Exposure-adjusted incidence rates of AEs of interest with placebo, deucravacitinib and apremilast, respectively, were as follows: serious infections (0.8/100 person-years [PY], 1.7/100 PY, and 1.8/100 PY), major adverse cardiovascular events (1.2/100 PY, 0.3/100 PY, and 0.9/100 PY), venous thromboembolic events (0, 0.2/100 PY, and 0), malignancies (0, 1.0/100 PY and 0.9/100 PY), herpes zoster (0.4/100 PY, 0.8/100 PY, and 0), acne (0.4/100 PY, 2.9/100 PY, and 0) and folliculitis (0, 2.8/100 PY, and 0.9/100 PY). No clinically meaningful changes from baseline in mean levels, or shifts from baseline to CTCAE grade ≥3 abnormalities, were reported in laboratory parameters with deucravacitinib.

CONCLUSIONS

Deucravacitinib was well-tolerated with acceptable safety over 52 weeks in patients with psoriasis.

Mental health outcomes in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis treated with bimekizumab: Analysis of phase 2/3 randomized trials

BACKGROUND

Patients with psoriasis have increased risk of suicidal ideation and behavior (SIB) and depression. Bimekizumab, a biologic that inhibits interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-17F, received Food and Drug Administration approval in 2023 for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, following 2021 European Medicines Agency approval.

OBJECTIVE

To report SIB and depression in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis treated in bimekizumab clinical trials.

METHODS

Mental health changes, including neuropsychiatric events, were actively monitored across 9 bimekizumab clinical trials in psoriasis phase 2/3 trials. The patient-reported electronic Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (measuring SIB) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (measuring depression) were administered, monitored by an independent Neuropsychiatric Adjudication Committee.

RESULTS

Throughout 7166 patient-years (PY) of bimekizumab exposure, the adjudicated SIB rate was 0.13/100PY; SIB ranges for the general psoriasis population and patients receiving anti-IL-17A/anti-IL-23 therapies are 0.09 to 0.54/100PY and 0.09 to 0.19/100PY, respectively. At week 16, 92.9% vs 81.1% of bimekizumab- vs placebo-treated patients had no/minimal depression. Newonset positive electronic Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale responses and mean Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores were low for bimekizumab-treated patients.

LIMITATIONS

Patient exclusion for significant/severe prespecified SIB/depression history.

CONCLUSION

The long-term adjudicated SIB rate with bimekizumab was low and within ranges reported in the general psoriasis patient population and psoriasis patients treated with anti-IL-17A/anti-IL-23 biologics. Screening/monitoring questionnaires reported low SIB and depression levels.

[Janus kinase inhibitors : Indications, efficacy, uses, what should be taken into account?]

Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) represent an immunomodulatory targeted therapy in various dermatoses. Throughout the past few years, JAKi have been approved for atopic dermatitis (AD), psoriasis vulgaris (PSO), alopecia areata (AA), and vitiligo. Further indications are currently under investigation. In this article the various systenic and topical JAKi used in dermatology are being presented regarding their efficacy and safety profile. A specific focus will be set on handling with safety issues including screening and control measures during treatment with JAKi. In addition, future use of JAKi in various dermatological diseases for which nowadays only insufficient therapy options are available is being discussed.

Deucravacitinib, an oral, selective, allosteric tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor, in Japanese patients with moderate to severe plaque, erythrodermic, or generalized pustular psoriasis: Efficacy and safety results from an open-label, phase 3 trial

Deucravacitinib, an oral, selective, allosteric tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor, is approved in Japan for adult patients with plaque (PP), generalized pustular (GPP), and erythrodermic (EP) psoriasis who have had an inadequate response to conventional systemic therapies. This approval is based on results from the global phase 3 POETYK PSO-1 and PSO-2 trials in which deucravacitinib was associated with significantly improved efficacy outcomes compared with placebo in adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, and results described here from POETYK PSO-4, an open-label, single-arm, phase 3 trial (NCT03924427), which evaluated the efficacy and safety of deucravacitinib 6 mg once daily in adult Japanese patients with PP, GPP, or EP. The coprimary endpoints were the proportion of patients achieving a ≥75% reduction from baseline in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75) and a static Physician's Global Assessment score of 0 (clear) or 1 (almost clear) (sPGA 0/1) with at least a two-point improvement from baseline at week 16. Nonresponder imputation was used for missing data. Efficacy responses, adverse events (AEs), and serious AEs (SAEs) were recorded for up to 52 weeks. Seventy-four patients were treated (PP, n = 63; GPP, n = 3; EP, n = 8). At week 16, 76.2%, 66.7%, and 37.5% of patients with PP, GPP, and EP, respectively, had achieved PASI 75, and 82.5%, 0.0%, and 50.0% had achieved sPGA 0/1. Responses were overall maintained through week 52. AEs occurred in 74.6% of patients with PP, 100% of patients with GPP, and 87.5% of patients with EP. The most common AEs were nasopharyngitis and acne. Rates of SAEs and discontinuations were low. There were no deaths. Deucravacitinib was effective and well tolerated in Japanese patients with moderate to severe PP and in a limited number of patients with GPP or EP.

Short-Term Cardiovascular Complications in Dermatology Patients Receiving JAK-STAT Inhibitors: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Importance

Evolving evidence suggests that patients receiving Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription inhibitors (JAK-STATi) may be at higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Most existing literature has focused on indications that may confer a higher MACE and VTE risk than that among patients with isolated dermatological indications.

Objective

To evaluate risk of MACE, VTE, serious adverse events (SAEs), and tolerability of systemic JAK-STATi compared with placebo, in those with a dermatologic indication.

Data Sources

A systematic review of the literature was carried out to June 2023, using databases Embase, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library of Registered Trials, and registered Clinical Trials. The analysis was reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. The analysis itself took place in June 2023.

Study Selection

Placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials that compared systemic JAK-STATi with placebo, and investigated the safety in patients with alopecia areata, psoriasis, vitiligo, atopic dermatitis, lichen planus or hidradenitis suppurativa.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Study selection and data extraction by 2 authors working independently using a standardized template. Crude numbers for MACE, VTE, SAEs, and study discontinuation due to treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were pooled and underwent meta-analysis.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Incidence of MACE, VTE, SAE, and study discontinuation due to TEAEs. Analysis of these values against person exposure years to determine the incidence rate (IR). Risk ratios (RRs) compared incidence rates among treatment and placebo comparator arms.

Results

Forty-five randomized clinical trials were eligible for inclusion, with 12 996 patients receiving active JAK-STATi therapy and 4925 allocated to placebo treatment. Meta-analysis found no significant increase in MACE (I2 = 0.00%; RR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.28-0.80) or VTE (I2 = 0.00%; RR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.26-0.80) between placebo and JAK-STATi comparator arms. There was also no significant difference in SAEs (I2 = 12.38%; RR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.72-1.20) and discontinuations between JAK-STATi and placebo (I2 = 23.55%; RR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.76-1.19).

Conclusions and Relevance

This meta-analysis did not identify a significant increase in the risk of MACE and VTE in dermatology patients receiving JAK-STATi for median duration of 16 weeks. The results of this review suggest there is insufficient evidence that JAK-STATi confer an increased risk of cardiovascular complications in dermatological patients, especially when used for short time frames.

Application of JAK inhibitors in paradoxical reaction through immune-related dermatoses

Biologics play a positive and effective role in the treatment of immune-related dermatoses. However, many other immune-related diseases have also manifested along with biologics treatment. Paradoxical reaction through immune-related dermatoses refer to the new onset or exacerbation of other immune-mediated dermatoses (mainly psoriasis and atopic dermatitis) after biologics treatment of inflammatory dermatoses (mainly psoriasis and atopic dermatitis), such as new atopic dermatitis (AD) in psoriasis (PsO) treatment and new PsO in AD treatment. A common genetic background and Inflammatory pathway are possible pathogenesis. Faced with paradoxical reactions, the choice of therapy needs to be directed toward therapies effective for both diseases, such as Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. The Janus kinase and signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway plays an important role in the inflammatory pathway, and has been widely used in the treatment of AD and PsO in recent years. This article focuses on JAK inhibitors such as tofacitinib, baricitinib, ruxolitinib, Abrocitinib, upadacitinib, and deucravacitinib, to explore the possible application in treatment of paradoxical reactions. Common side effects, baseline risk factors and safety use of JAK inhibitors were discussed.

Safety and efficacy of dual tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor and monoclonal antibody therapy for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

Deucravacitinib may confer an additive effect in some patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis whose disease is not adequately controlled on systemic monotherapy. This study found that deucravacitinib proved to be a safe adjunctive therapy to patients with refractory disease.

TYK2 signaling promotes the development of autoreactive CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes and type 1 diabetes

Tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2), a member of the JAK family, has attracted attention as a potential therapeutic target for autoimmune diseases. However, the role of TYK2 in CD8+ T cells and autoimmune type 1 diabetes (T1D) is poorly understood. In this study, we generate Tyk2 gene knockout non-obese diabetes (NOD) mice and demonstrate that the loss of Tyk2 inhibits the development of autoreactive CD8+ T-BET+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) by impairing IL-12 signaling in CD8+ T cells and the CD8+ resident dendritic cell-driven cross-priming of CTLs in the pancreatic lymph node (PLN). Tyk2-deficient CTLs display reduced cytotoxicity. Increased inflammatory responses in β-cells with aging are dampened by Tyk2 deficiency. Furthermore, treatment with BMS-986165, a selective TYK2 inhibitor, inhibits the expansion of T-BET+ CTLs, inflammation in β-cells and the onset of autoimmune T1D in NOD mice. Thus, our study reveals the diverse roles of TYK2 in driving the pathogenesis of T1D.

An Oral Interleukin-23-Receptor Antagonist Peptide for Plaque Psoriasis

BACKGROUND

The use of monoclonal antibodies has changed the treatment of several immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, including psoriasis. However, these large proteins must be administered by injection. JNJ-77242113 is a novel, orally administered interleukin-23-receptor antagonist peptide that selectively blocks interleukin-23 signaling and downstream cytokine production.

METHODS

In this phase 2 dose-finding trial, we randomly assigned patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis to receive JNJ-77242113 at a dose of 25 mg once daily, 25 mg twice daily, 50 mg once daily, 100 mg once daily, or 100 mg twice daily or placebo for 16 weeks. The primary end point was a reduction from baseline of at least 75% in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score (PASI 75 response; PASI scores range from 0 to 72, with higher scores indicating greater extent or severity of psoriasis) at week 16.

RESULTS

A total of 255 patients underwent randomization. The mean PASI score at baseline was 19.1. The mean duration of psoriasis was 18.2 years, and 78% of the patients across all the trial groups had previously received systemic treatments. At week 16, the percentages of patients with a PASI 75 response were higher among those in the JNJ-77242113 groups (37%, 51%, 58%, 65%, and 79% in the 25-mg once-daily, 25-mg twice-daily, 50-mg once-daily, 100-mg once-daily, and 100-mg twice-daily groups, respectively) than among those in the placebo group (9%), a finding that showed a significant dose-response relationship (P<0.001). The most common adverse events included coronavirus disease 2019 (in 12% of the patients in the placebo group and in 11% of those across the JNJ-77242113 dose groups) and nasopharyngitis (in 5% and 7%, respectively). The percentages of patients who had at least one adverse event were similar in the combined JNJ-77242113 dose group (52%) and the placebo group (51%). There was no evidence of a dose-related increase in adverse events across the JNJ-77242113 dose groups.

CONCLUSIONS

After 16 weeks of once- or twice-daily oral administration, treatment with the interleukin-23-receptor antagonist peptide JNJ-77242113 showed greater efficacy than placebo in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. (Funded by Janssen Research and Development; FRONTIER 1 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT05223868.).

New and Emerging Oral/Topical Small-Molecule Treatments for Psoriasis

The introduction of biologic therapies has led to dramatic improvements in the management of moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Even though the efficacy and safety of the newer biologic agents are difficult to match, oral administration is considered an important advantage by many patients. Current research is focused on the development of oral therapies with improved efficacy and safety compared with available alternatives, as exemplified by deucravacitinib, the first oral allosteric Tyk2 inhibitor approved for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis in adults. Recent advances in our knowledge of psoriasis pathogenesis have also led to the development of targeted topical molecules, mostly focused on intracellular signaling pathways such as AhR, PDE-4, and Jak-STAT. Tapinarof (an AhR modulator) and roflumilast (a PDE-4 inhibitor) have exhibited favorable efficacy and safety outcomes and have been approved by the FDA for the topical treatment of plaque psoriasis. This revision focuses on the most recent oral and topical therapies available for psoriasis, especially those that are currently under evaluation and development for the treatment of psoriasis.

Identification and mechanistic exploration of structural and conformational dynamics of NF-kB inhibitors: rationale insights from in silico and in vitro studies

Increased expression of target genes that code for proinflammatory chemical mediators results from a series of intracellular cascades triggered by activation of dysregulated NF-κB signaling pathway. Dysfunctional NF-kB signaling amplifies and perpetuates autoimmune responses in inflammatory diseases, including psoriasis. This study aimed to identify therapeutically relevant NF-kB inhibitors and elucidate the mechanistic aspects behind NF-kB inhibition. After virtual screening and molecular docking, five hit NF-kB inhibitors opted, and their therapeutic efficacy was examined using cell-based assays in TNF-α stimulated human keratinocyte cells. To investigate the conformational changes of target protein and inhibitor-protein interaction mechanisms, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, binding free energy calculations together with principal component (PC) analysis, dynamics cross-correlation matrix analysis (DCCM), free energy landscape (FEL) analysis and quantum mechanical calculations were carried out. Among identified NF-kB inhibitors, myricetin and hesperidin significantly scavenged intracellular ROS and inhibited NF-kB activation. Analysis of the MD simulation trajectories of ligand-protein complexes revealed that myricetin and hesperidin formed energetically stabilized complexes with the target protein and were able to lock NF-kB in a closed conformation. Myricetin and hesperidin binding to the target protein significantly impacted conformational changes and internal dynamics of amino acid residues in protein domains. Tyr57, Glu60, Lys144 and Asp239 residues majorly contributed to locking the NF-kB in a closed conformation. The combinatorial approach employing in silico tools integrated with cell-based approaches substantiated the binding mechanism and NF-kB active site inhibition by the lead molecule myricetin, which can be explored as a viable antipsoriatic drug candidate associated with dysregulated NF-kB.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Efficacy of tyrosine-kinase-2 and phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors for scalp psoriasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Psoriasis of the scalp is challenging to manage. The only approved oral tyrosine kinase 2 and phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors for psoriasis are deucravacitinib and apremilast. The aim of this study was to explore their efficacy for scalp psoriasis utilizing data from randomized controlled trials.

METHODS

We searched Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov up to August 4, 2023. To determine risk of bias, the revised Risk of Bias assessment tool 2.0 was used. Inverse variance random effects meta-analyses were executed. Heterogeneity was assessed utilizing Q and I2 statistics. Pre-determined outcomes included the proportion of participants with cleared scalp skin (Scalp Physician's Global Assessment [ScPGA] of 0/1), mean change in Psoriasis Scalp Severity Index (PSSI), and mean improvement in Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI).

RESULTS

Ten RCTs fulfilled inclusion criteria. Both apremilast (RR = 2.41, 95% CI = 2.08-2.79, Tau2 = 0, I2 = 0) and deucravacitinib (RR = 3.86, 95% CI = 3.02-4.94, Tau2 = 0, I2 = 0) were more effective in inducing ScPGA of 0/1 at 16 weeks compared to placebo. Furthermore, deucravacitinib was more effective than apremilast (RR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.44-2.00, Tau2 = 0, I2 = 0). An analysis could not be executed for the rest of the outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Apremilast and deucravacitinib are effective for scalp psoriasis. Deucravacitinib may be more efficient in clearing the scalp.

Clinical Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Considerations in the Treatment of Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory immune disorder due to chronic activation of the adaptive and innate immune responses. Therapies for psoriasis target reducing inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-17, and interleukin-22. Patients with inflammatory disorders have reduced metabolism by cytochrome P450 enzymes in the liver. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes due to psoriasis also have an impact on reaching therapeutic concentrations of the drug. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data help determine the safety and clinical considerations necessary when utilizing drugs for plaque psoriasis. A literature search was performed on PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE for the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data of oral therapies and biologics utilized for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The findings from the literature search were organized into two sections: oral therapies and biologics. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters in healthy patients, patients with psoriasis, and special populations are discussed in each section. The oral therapies described in this review include methotrexate, cyclosporine, apremilast, tofacitinib, and deucravacitinib. Biologics include tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors, interleukin-17 inhibitors, ustekinumab, and interleukin-23 inhibitors. Clinical considerations for these therapies include drug toxicities, dosing frequency, and anti-drug antibodies. Methotrexate and cyclosporine have a risk for hepatoxicity and renal impairment, respectively. Moreover, drugs metabolized via cytochrome P450, including tofacitinib and apremilast have decreased clearance in patients with psoriasis, requiring dose adjustments. Patients treated with therapies such as adalimumab can develop anti-drug antibodies that reduce the long-term efficacy of the drug. Additionally, overweight patients benefit from more frequent dosing to achieve better psoriasis clearance.

Bibliometric analysis and description of research trends on T cells in psoriasis over the past two decades (2003-2022)

Background

It is now understood that T cells play a key role in the occurrence and development of psoriasis. Herein, a bibliometric analysis was conducted to summarize the content and trends of T cell-related research in psoriasis.

Methods

A bibliometric analysis was conducted on publications pertaining to T cells in psoriasis between 2003 and 2022 retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database using tools such as CiteSpace, the Bibliometrix R package, and VOSviewer.

Results

The study included a total of 3595 articles authored by 14,188 individuals, including all coauthors in article bylines. The Laboratory for Investigative Dermatology at Rockefeller University, led by James G Krueger, has made significant contributions to this field through focusing on the pathogenesis of psoriasis and exploring the potential of using biological agents to treat psoriasis. Furthermore, targeted inhibitors have significantly impacted the treatment of psoriasis, with researchers focusing on small-molecule targeted drugs as a new area of research that could potentially replace biological agents.

Conclusions

Research has established the efficacy and long-term safety of targeted inhibition of T cell-related targets. Deucravacitinib, a psoriasis treatment drug targeting TYK2 as an allosteric inhibitor, has attracted significant attention and raised high expectations.

Selectivity, efficacy and safety of JAKinibs: new evidence for a still evolving story

Fundamental insight gained over the last decades led to the discovery of cytokines as pivotal drivers of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis/psoriasis arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, atopic dermatitis and spondylarthritis. A deeper understanding of the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects of various cytokines has prompted new cytokine-targeting therapies, which revolutionised the treatment options in the last years for patients with inflammatory disorders. Disease-associated immune responses typically involve a complex interplay of multiple cytokines. Therefore, blockade of one single cytokine does not necessarily lead to a persistent remission in all patients with inflammatory disorders and fostered new therapeutic strategies targeting intracellular pathways shared by multiple cytokines. By inhibiting JAK-STAT signalling pathways common to families of cytokines, JAK-inhibitors (JAKinibs) have created a new paradigm for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Multiple agents have been approved for various disorders and more are being investigated for several new indications. Second-generation selective JAKinibs have been devised with the aim to achieve an increased selectivity and a possible reduced risk of side effects. In the current review, we will summarise the current body of evidence of pan versus selective JAKinibs and the most recent insights on new side effects and indications, including COVID-19.

The safety of systemic Janus kinase inhibitors in atopic dermatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors have been recently approved by the FDA and are widely used in the treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis. However, a comprehensive safety profile of JAK inhibitors in patients with atopic dermatitis has not been analysed. This study aimed to establish clinical evidence for the safety of systemic JAK inhibitors in patients with atopic dermatitis. Medline, Embase, Clinicaltrials.gov, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) were considered for search databases. Randomized controlled trials reporting the adverse events of systemic therapy in patients with atopic dermatitis were included. The risk of 11 adverse events was compared between the JAK inhibitors and placebo groups. Fourteen randomized controlled trials were analysed published between 2019 and 2022. The JAK inhibitors included in the analysis were abrocitinib (10, 30, 100 and 200 mg), baricitinib (1, 2 and 4 mg) and upadacitinib (7.5, 15 and 30 mg). The risk of herpes zoster, headache, acne, elevated blood creatinine phosphokinase and nausea was significantly increased, but the risk of serious infection, non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), malignancies other than NMSC, major adverse cardiovascular event, venous thromboembolism and nasopharyngitis was not increased. This study provides comprehensive clinical evidence on the risk of various adverse events in patients with atopic dermatitis. However, since the follow-up periods of the studies analysed in this review were mostly limited to 16 weeks or less, it is recommended that comprehensive long-term observational studies be conducted to determine any potential adverse events associated with major cardiovascular events or malignancies, which typically have prolonged courses.

Pharmacokinetics and Safety of the Tyrosine Kinase 2 Inhibitor Deucravacitinib in Healthy Chinese Subjects

INTRODUCTION

Deucravacitinib, an oral, selective, allosteric tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor, blocks cytokine signaling involved in psoriasis pathogenesis. This ethnic-bridging study evaluated deucravacitinib pharmacokinetics, tolerability, and safety in healthy Chinese subjects.

METHODS

This phase I, double-blind, single-/multiple-dose study randomized healthy Chinese subjects 4:1 to a single dose of deucravacitinib 6 mg or placebo (group 1) or deucravacitinib 12 mg or placebo (group 2) on day 1; groups 1 and 2 received deucravacitinib 6 mg and 12 mg once daily, respectively, or placebo on days 5-19. Blood samples were collected on days 1-5 (0 predose-96 h postdose), day 5 (0-24 h postdose), days 9 and 12 (0 h), and day 19 (0-24 h postdose). Deucravacitinib and metabolite (BMT-153261, BMT-158170) concentrations were determined using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry; pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using noncompartmental analysis. Urine was collected on days 1-4 (4 h predose-96 h postdose). Safety was monitored throughout.

RESULTS

Forty healthy Chinese subjects (groups 1 and 2: deucravacitinib, n = 32; placebo, n = 8) were enrolled. Deucravacitinib was rapidly absorbed after single-/multiple-dose administration, with median time to maximal plasma concentration of 1.5-2.3 h. Systemic exposure after single or multiple doses increased approximately twofold with twofold dose increase. Modest deucravacitinib accumulation was observed after multiple-dose administration (1.3- to 1.4-fold increase in area under the curve [AUC] under one dosing interval). Metabolite-to-parent ratios for maximal plasma concentration and AUC remained consistent in each dose group. Mean urinary percent recovery and renal clearance were similar between dose groups. Most adverse events (AEs) were mild/moderate, with no serious treatment-related AEs, deaths, or discontinuations due to AEs.

CONCLUSION

Deucravacitinib was safe and well tolerated in healthy Chinese subjects. Deucravacitinib exhibited rapid absorption, dose-related increases in exposure, comparable half-life, and no evidence of time-dependent pharmacokinetics, suggesting minimal effect of Chinese ethnicity on deucravacitinib pharmacokinetics.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT03956953.

Janus Kinase Inhibitors and Adverse Events of Acne: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Importance

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are increasingly used across a range of dermatologic conditions. Adverse events of acne have been noted in some studies in clinical practice, but the scope of this outcome across JAK inhibitors has not been established.

Objective

To systematically analyze all published phase 2 and 3 placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of JAK inhibitors for the risk of acne as an adverse effect of these medications.

Data Sources

Comprehensive search of Ovid MEDLINE and PubMed databases through January 31, 2023.

Study Selection

Inclusion criteria were phase 2 and 3 placebo-controlled RCTs of JAK inhibitors published in English with reported adverse events of acne.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Two reviewers independently reviewed and extracted information from all included studies.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome of interest was the incidence of acne following JAK inhibitor use. A meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects models.

Results

A total of 25 unique studies (10 839 unique participants; 54% male and 46% female) were included in the final analysis. The pooled odds ratio (OR) was calculated to be 3.83 (95% CI, 2.76-5.32) with increased ORs for abrocitinib (13.47 [95% CI, 3.25-55.91]), baricitinib (4.96 [95% CI, 2.52-9.78]), upadacitinib (4.79 [95% CI, 3.61-6.37]), deucravacitinib (2.64 [95% CI, 1.44-4.86]), and deuruxolitinib (3.30 [95% CI, 1.22-8.93]). Estimated ORs were higher across studies investigating the use of JAK inhibitors for the management of dermatologic compared with nondermatologic conditions (4.67 [95% CI, 3.10-7.05]) as well as for JAK1-specific inhibitors (4.69 [95% CI, 3.56-6.18]), combined JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitors (3.43 [95% CI, 2.14-5.49]), and tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitors (2.64 [95% CI, 1.44-4.86]).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, JAK inhibitor use was associated with an elevated odds of acne. Patients should be properly counseled on this potential adverse effect of these medications before treatment initiation. Future studies are needed to further elucidate the pathophysiology of this association.

Deucravacitinib in the treatment of psoriasis

PURPOSE OF THE ARTICLE

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated, skin disease with a significantly negative impact on patients' quality of life. Moderate-to-severe disease often requires systemic therapies and currently available ones still have numerous disadvantages or limitations. Tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) mediates immune signaling of IL-12, IL-23, and type I interferons, without interfering with other critical systemic functions. This article aims to review the current knowledge on deucravacitinib, a new oral drug which selectively inhibits TYK2, granting it a low risk of off-target effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A review of the published literature was conducted using the PubMed database, published abstracts and virtual presentations from scientific meetings, data from industry press releases, and results published on ClinicalTrials.gov regarding the deucravacitinib for the treatment of psoriasis. Manuscripts with trial results, case series, clinical trial data from ClinicalTrials.gov, and articles highlighting expert perspectives on the topic of the article were selected.

RESULTS

Two phase 3, 52-week trials evaluated deucravacitinib 6 mg against placebo and apremilast - POETYK PSO-1 and PSO-2, enrolling 1688 patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. At week 16, over 50% of patients treated with deucravacitinib reached PASI75, significantly superior to placebo and apremilast. Symptomatic improvement was also reported, with greater impact on itch. Deucravacitinib was well tolerated and safe. There were no reports of serious infections, thromboembolic events, or laboratory abnormalities. Persistent efficacy and consistent safety profiles were reported for up to 2 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Deucravacitinib has the potential to become a safe, effective, and well-tolerated treatment for patients with moderate-to-severe disease. Future studies will be important to determine the exact role of this drug in the treatment of psoriasis.

Short-, Mid-, and Long-Term Efficacy of Deucravacitinib Versus Biologics and Nonbiologics for Plaque Psoriasis: A Network Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Deucravacitinib, a newly approved oral medication for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, demonstrated efficacy versus apremilast and placebo in two phase 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) indirectly compared deucravacitinib with other relevant systemic biologic/nonbiologic treatments.

METHODS

Online databases were searched for RCTs published through October 2021. Eligible studies were head-to-head comparisons between systemic therapies and/or placebo reporting 50%, 75%, 90%, or 100% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) from baseline in adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Comparisons included tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, interleukin (IL)-17, IL-23, and IL 12/23 inhibitors, and systemic nonbiologics. A multinomial Bayesian NMA was used to derive estimates of the relative efficacy of deucravacitinib and other systemic therapies. Response probabilities for each treatment and corresponding 95% credible intervals (CrIs) for achieving a PASI response were calculated over short-, mid-, and long-term follow-up (weeks 10-16, 24-28, and 44-60).

RESULTS

The NMA included 47 RCTs. Deucravacitinib showed the highest PASI 75 response rates among nonbiologic systemic therapies across time points. Deucravacitinib PASI 75 response rate (95% CrI) over short-term follow-up was 54.1% (46.5-61.6), within the range of first-generation biologics (etanercept, 39.7% [31.6-48.3]; infliximab, 79.0% [74.0-83.5]). At mid-term follow-up, deucravacitinib PASI 75 increased to 63.3% (58.0-68.4). At long-term follow-up, deucravacitinib PASI 75 was 65.9% (58.0-73.4), comparable to first-generation biologics adalimumab (62.8%; 55.3-69.6) and ustekinumab (68.0%; 64.6-71.5).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients receiving deucravacitinib were more likely to achieve PASI 75 response versus apremilast and methotrexate across all time points. The long-term PASI 75 response rate for deucravacitinib was similar to those of adalimumab and ustekinumab. The approval of deucravacitinib offers patients the choice of an oral therapy with long-term efficacy similar to that of some biologics.

Matching-Adjusted Indirect Comparison of the Long-Term Efficacy of Deucravacitinib Versus Adalimumab for Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis

INTRODUCTION

Deucravacitinib, an oral tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor, is approved in the United States to treat adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (PsO). This study compared the long-term efficacy of deucravacitinib and adalimumab using results from long-term extension (LTE) trials.

METHODS

Open-label LTE trials were identified for an indirect treatment comparison (deucravacitinib: POETYK PSO-LTE [NCT04036435]; adalimumab: REVEAL extension [NCT00195676]). To ensure study design comparability, patients initially randomized to placebo and switched to deucravacitinib or adalimumab after week 16 were compared. The primary outcome was  an ≥ 75% reduction in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score (PASI 75) at week 112 postrandomization. Secondary outcomes were PASI 75 at week 52 and an ≥ 90% reduction in PASI score (PASI 90) at weeks 52 and 112. Missing PASI data were imputed. A matching-adjusted indirect comparison was conducted; individual patient-level data from POETYK PSO-LTE were reweighted to balance baseline characteristics with those from the REVEAL extension.

RESULTS

Before reweighting, on average, patients in the POETYK PSO-LTE (N = 329) versus the REVEAL (N = 345) extension were older, had a lower body weight, received more prior systemic treatments, and had higher baseline PASI scores and week 16 placebo PASI 75 and PASI 90 response rates. Following reweighting, adjusted week 112 PASI 75 response rates were significantly higher for deucravacitinib versus adalimumab (67.2% vs. 54.0%; mean difference [95% CI], 13.2 [4.0-22.5] percentage points). Deucravacitinib had a numerically higher adjusted week 112 PASI 90 response rate (41.3% vs. 34.0%; mean difference [95% CI], 7.3 [-2.0 to 16.7] percentage points). The treatments had similar week 52 adjusted PASI 75 and PASI 90 response rates.

CONCLUSION

In this interim analysis, adults with moderate to severe PsO had higher long-term response rates at 2 years when treated with deucravacitinib versus adalimumab. Deucravacitinib response rates remained stable whereas adalimumab response rates declined in year 2.

JAK Inhibitors in Psoriatic Disease

Psoriasis is now considered to be the cutaneous phenotype of a systemic inflammatory condition, recognized under the term Psoriatic Disease (PsD). PsD has several extracutaneous manifestations, such as inflammatory articular and entheseal involvement, leading to psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and the less frequent intestinal and ocular manifestations with colitis/inflammatory bowel disease and uveitis, respectively. There have also been several reports of an increased frequency of comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular manifestations during the course of PsD. The link between psoriasis and related comorbidities is considered a long-term disease sequela, often characterized by an unhealthy lifestyle and a consequence of systemic inflammation; hence, psoriasis requires adequate and prompt treatment, with the aim of controlling not only cutaneous manifestations but also extracutaneous manifestations and systemic inflammation. Pharmacological strategies for PsD have significantly increased over recent years. Recently, the targeted synthetic DMARDs, Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, tofacitinib and upadacitinib, were added to the therapeutic armamentarium for treating PsA, and deucravacitinib for psoriasis. These oral agents act directly on inflammatory mechanisms underlining the disease, as antagonists of the intracellular JAK signal pathway and, by STAT phosphorylation, inhibit gene proinflammatory cytokine transcription. JAK inhibitors represent a recent additional treatment strategy for PsD management and, among these, tofacitinib and upadacitinib have recently been approved for PsA, and deucravacitinib for psoriasis. In this review we describe ongoing and recent phase II and III randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy and safety of investigational JAK inhibitors in psoriasis and PsA.

A novel highly selective allosteric inhibitor of tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) can block inflammation- and autoimmune-related pathways

BACKGROUND

As a member of the Janus kinase (JAK) family, which includes JAK1, JAK2 and JAK3, tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) plays an important role in signal transduction and immune system regulation. Moreover, it is also involved in the development of many types of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, such as psoriasis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). TYK2 is an attractive therapeutic target, and selective inhibition of TYK2 over other JAK family members is critical for the development of TYK2 small molecule inhibitors. However, targeting the catalytic region of the TYK2 ATP-binding site is a major challenge due to the high structural homology between the catalytic regions of the JAK family proteins.

RESULTS

In this study, we developed a novel small molecule inhibitor (QL-1200186) by targeting the pseudokinase regulatory domain (Janus homology 2, JH2) of the TYK2 protein. The binding sites of QL-1200186 were predicted and screened by molecular docking. The inhibitory effects on IFNα, IL-12 and IL-23 signaling were tested in cell lines, human peripheral blood cells and human whole blood. The pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic properties of QL-1200186 were verified in mice. QL-1200186 showed high affinity for TYK2 JH2 and had no apparent selectivity for the TYK2 and JAK homologous kinase domains; these effects were demonstrated using biochemical binding, signaling pathway transduction (JAK1/2/3) and off-target effect assays. More importantly, we revealed that QL-1200186 was functionally comparable and selectivity superior to two clinical-stage TYK2 inhibitors (BMS-986165 and NDI-034858) in vitro. In the PK studies, QL-1200186 exhibited excellent exposure, high bioavailability and low clearance rates in mice. Oral administration of QL-1200186 dose-dependently inhibited interferon-γ (IFNγ) production after interleukin-12 (IL-12) challenge and significantly ameliorated skin lesions in psoriatic mice.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that QL-1200186 is a highly selective and potent inhibitor of TYK2. QL-1200186 could be an appealing clinical drug candidate for the treatment of psoriasis and other autoimmune diseases. Video Abstract.

Global, regional, and national incidence of six major immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: findings from the global burden of disease study 2019

Background

The causes for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) are diverse and the incidence trends of IMIDs from specific causes are rarely studied. The study aims to investigate the pattern and trend of IMIDs from 1990 to 2019.

Methods

We collected detailed information on six major causes of IMIDs, including asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis, between 1990 and 2019, derived from the Global Burden of Disease study in 2019. The average annual percent change (AAPC) in number of incidents and age standardized incidence rate (ASR) on IMIDs, by sex, age, region, and causes, were calculated to quantify the temporal trends.

Findings

In 2019, rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis, asthma, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease accounted 1.59%, 36.17%, 54.71%, 0.09%, 6.84%, 0.60% of overall new IMIDs cases, respectively. The ASR of IMIDs showed substantial regional and global variation with the highest in High SDI region, High-income North America, and United States of America. Throughout human lifespan, the age distribution of incident cases from six IMIDs was quite different. Globally, incident cases of IMIDs increased with an AAPC of 0.68 and the ASR decreased with an AAPC of -0.34 from 1990 to 2019. The incident cases increased across six IMIDs, the ASR of rheumatoid arthritis increased (0.21, 95% CI 0.18, 0.25), while the ASR of asthma (AAPC = -0.41), inflammatory bowel disease (AAPC = -0.72), multiple sclerosis (AAPC = -0.26), psoriasis (AAPC = -0.77), and atopic dermatitis (AAPC = -0.15) decreased. The ASR of overall and six individual IMID increased with SDI at regional and global level. Countries with higher ASR in 1990 experienced a more rapid decrease in ASR.

Interpretation

The incidence patterns of IMIDs varied considerably across the world. Innovative prevention and integrative management strategy are urgently needed to mitigate the increasing ASR of rheumatoid arthritis and upsurging new cases of other five IMIDs, respectively.

Funding

The Global Burden of Disease Study is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The project funded by Scientific Research Fund of Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital (2022QN38).

Absolute and Relative Bioavailability of Oral Solid Dosage Formulations of Deucravacitinib in Humans

Deucravacitinib is an oral, selective, allosteric inhibitor of tyrosine kinase 2, an intracellular signaling kinase involved in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. The absolute and relative bioavailability (BA) were evaluated in phase 1, open-label studies in healthy adults to assess (1) the absolute BA of the deucravacitinib tablet formulation following single oral administration of a 12-mg tablet and an intravenous microdose infusion of 0.1-mg carbon-13 and nitrogen-15-labeled deucravacitinib ([13 C2 , 15 N3 ] deucravacitinib) solution in 8 subjects, and (2) the relative oral BA of deucravacitinib tablet and capsule formulations at the 3- and 12-mg dose levels in 20 subjects. The absolute oral availability of deucravacitinib in the tablet formulation was near complete at approximately 99%. The total clearance (254 mL/min) was low relative to hepatic blood flow, and volume of distribution (∼140 L) was greater than total body water, indicating extravascular distribution. Deucravacitinib systemic exposure (maximum plasma concentration, area under the plasma drug concentration curve from time zero to the time of the last quantifiable nonzero concentration, and area under the plasma drug concentration-time curve from time zero extrapolated to infinity) after administration of the tablet formulation were similar to the capsule at the tested 3- and 12-mg doses. In both studies, deucravacitinib was safe with no clinically relevant changes in laboratory values, electrocardiogram parameters, or vital signs.

Deucravacitinib: a novel TYK2 inhibitor for the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis

Background

Deucravacitinib is a first-in-class tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor recently approved for the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Objective

To discuss the mechanism of action, efficacy, safety, and real-world applications of deucravacitinib for the treatment of psoriasis.

Methods

Literature on the mechanism of action of deucravacitinib is reviewed. The pivotal clinical studies and long-term extension studies for deucravacitinib are also examined.

Results

Deucravacitinib is a novel oral TYK2 inhibitor that binds to the regulatory domain of TYK2, a Janus kinase. By inhibiting TYK2, deucravacitinib interferes with signaling of IL-23, IL-12, and type I interferons, cytokines believed to play important roles in psoriasis pathogenesis. Nearly 60% of patients achieve PASI 75 at 16 weeks of treatment; efficacy improves over 24 weeks and is maintained through 2 years of continuous treatment. In a head-to-head comparison, deucravacitinib efficacy was superior to apremilast, an older yet commonly used oral PDE4 inhibitor approved for the treatment of psoriasis. Of note, patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis with concomitant involvement of the scalp, nails, and/or palms/soles demonstrated good improvement in these high impact areas. Deucravacitinib has an acceptable safety profile and is generally well-tolerated. Small increases in reactivation of herpesvirus infections, including herpes simplex outbreaks, have been reported. Tuberculosis evaluation, but no other blood tests, is recommended prior to initiation of deucravacitinib. Monitoring of triglyceride levels should be conducted for high-risk patients according to local guidelines.

Conclusion

Deucravacitinib is an effective, safe, and well-tolerated novel oral medication for adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Efficacy of Apremilast Gels in Mouse Model of Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis Skin Inflammation

Apremilast (APM) is a novel drug for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. APM is a phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor, raising intracellular cAMP levels and thereby decreasing the inflammatory response by modulating the expression of TNF-α, IL-17, IL-23, and other inflammatory cytokines. The goal of this study is to develop APM gels as a new pharmaceutical formulation for the treatment of topical psoriasis. APM was solubilized in Transcutol-P and incorporated into Pluronic F127, Sepigel, and carbomer bases at different proportions. All formulations were characterized physiochemically. A biopharmaceutical study (release profile) was performed, and ex vivo permeation was evaluated using a human skin model. A toxicity assay was carried out on the HaCaT cell line. A mouse model of imiquimod-induced psoriasis skin inflammation was carried out to determine its efficacy by histological analysis, RNA extraction, and RT-qPCR assays. APM gel formulations showed good physicochemical characteristics and a sustained release profile. There was no permeation of any gel measured through human skin, indicating a high retained amount of APM on the skin. Cell viability was greater than 80% at most dilution concentrations. APM gels treated the psoriasis mouse model, and it shows a reduction in the proinflammatory cytokines (IL-8, IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-23). APM gels could be a new approach for the treatment of topical psoriasis.

The efficacy and safety of tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor deucravacitinib in the treatment of plaque psoriasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background

Orally effective therapeutics for plaque psoriasis with improved response rates, lower toxicity and costs are needed in clinical practices. This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of the recently approved TYK2 inhibitor deucravacitinib in adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis through meta-analysis.

Methods

A systematic search was performed for eligible studies using electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Clinical Trials, the EU Clinical Trials Register, and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy and safety of deucravacitinib vs. placebo or active comparators in adult patients with plaque psoriasis were included. The effectiveness of deucravacitinib was evaluated using a 75% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75) from baseline and the proportion of patients achieving the static Physician's Global Assessment (sPGA) response. The secondary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving PASI 90, PASI 100, ssPGA 0/1, and Dermatology Life Quality Index 0/1 (DLQI). The incidence of adverse events (AEs), serious AEs (SAEs), and AE-related treatment discontinuation were statistically analyzed to determine the safety of deucravacitinib.

Results

The systematic review and meta-analysis included five RCTs involving 2,198 patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Results showed that deucravacitinib was superior to placebo as well as active comparator apremilast in multiple key endpoints, including PASI 75, sPGA 0/1, PASI 90, PASI 100, DLQI 0/1 at week 16. Moreover, a durable response was seen in the two 52-week studies. Safety assessment showed that deucravacitinib was generally well tolerated, and the incidence of AEs, SAEs, and AE-related treatment discontinuation was low and balanced across groups.

Conclusion

Deucravacitinib demonstrated superior efficacy to apremilast in adult patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis with an acceptable safety profile and has the potential to be used as the first-line oral therapy for plaque psoriasis.

Biomarkers and biologics related with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

Over the past half century, psoriasis is considered as an immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease with the combined hallmarks of autoimmunity and autoinflammation, according to growing volumes of clinical and experimental findings. There is currently no cure for psoriasis, current treatment strategies focus on symptom control, disease minimization, and patient's quality of life enhancement. To meet these challenges, it keeps imperative to discover potential biomarkers, so that not only can they be used for the prediction and monitoring of psoriasis disease in clinic, but also can provide novel therapeutic targets or treatment strategies for psoriasis sufferers. This review systematically demonstrates the research progress of psoriasis-related biomarkers and elaborates their related mechanisms in the pathological development of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. In addition, we summarize the development of biologic therapies for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in order to drive the broader discussion of psoriasis as an autoimmune-mediated inflammatory skin disease.

Early Discontinuation of Apremilast in Patients with Psoriasis and Gastrointestinal Comorbidities: Rates and Associated Risk Factors

INTRODUCTION

Apremilast, the first oral targeted treatment for moderate to severe psoriasis, is associated with diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, which have contributed to treatment discontinuation. This study describes early apremilast discontinuation rates in patients with psoriasis, including a cohort with gastrointestinal (GI) comorbidities, and associated characteristics.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study used IBM® (now Merative™) MarketScan® commercial and Medicare claims data to identify adults with psoriasis who filled their first apremilast prescription between September 1, 2014 and March 31, 2020. Discontinuation was defined as a gap of > 30 days after exhausting the days' supply of a prescription fill. The GI comorbidity cohort included patients with ≥ 1 claim for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or other GI comorbidity during the study period.

RESULTS

Discontinuation rates were high, regardless of previous biologic treatment or GI comorbidities. Among all patients, 25.5% discontinued within 60 days and 56.4% discontinued within 180 days. Patients who discontinued were more likely to be younger, female, and have IBD, Crohn's disease, or a mental health disorder. At 180 days, patients who used biologics previously were more likely to discontinue than biologic-naive patients. Patients with IBD discontinued at a greater rate than those without IBD at 60 days (30.3% vs 24.4%; P = 0.018) and 180 days (63.6% vs 57.2%; P = 0.026). Differences in discontinuation rates were minimal between GI comorbidity groups; patients with IBS discontinued at numerically higher rates than those without IBS.

CONCLUSIONS

High rates of early discontinuation were observed for patients with and without GI comorbidities. Early discontinuation, whether attributable to poor tolerability or effectiveness, suggests the need for additional oral treatment options.

Challenges and Future Trends in the Treatment of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder, and current treatments include topical therapies, phototherapy, systemic immune modulators, and biologics, aiming to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. However, challenges persist, such as adverse effects, treatment resistance, high costs, and variability in response among individuals. The future of psoriasis treatment shows promising emerging trends. New biologic agents targeting novel pathways, such as interleukin 23 inhibitors like mirikizumab, offer enhanced efficacy. Small molecule inhibitors like RORγt inhibitors and ROCK2 inhibitors provide additional treatment options. Combination therapies, including biologics with methotrexate, may improve treatment response. Advancements in topical treatments utilizing microneedles and nanoparticle-based carriers can enhance drug delivery and improve therapeutic outcomes. Biomarkers and multi-omics technologies hold potential for personalized treatment approaches, thus aiding in diagnosis, predicting treatment response, and guiding therapeutic decisions. Collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and industry stakeholders is crucial to translating these scientific breakthroughs into clinical practice. By addressing current challenges and exploring these promising trends, we can optimize psoriasis management and improve the lives of those affected by this chronic condition.