Association between biological immunotherapy for psoriasis and time to incident inflammatory arthritis: a retrospective cohort study

Prevention of Psoriatic Arthritis: The Need for Prospective Studies

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a systemic chronic inflammatory disease that develops in up to 30% of patients with psoriasis. Mixed data variably support the potential ability to "prevent" and/or delay PsA through use of systemic therapies in psoriasis patients. Though intriguing, almost all of these studies are retrospective in nature, and hold substantial limitations and potential biases that challenge the ability to meaningfully interpretation their results. Thus, the authors believe prospective observational and interventional studies are crucial to understanding our ability to truly modify the transition from psoriasis to psoriatic arthritis and delay or prevent PsA onset.

Safety and effectiveness of guselkumab in Japanese patients with psoriasis: 20-week interim analysis of a postmarketing surveillance study

A 52-week postmarketing surveillance study was initiated to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of guselkumab, a human anti-interleukin 23 subunit p19 monoclonal antibody, in Japanese patients with psoriasis vulgaris, psoriatic arthritis, generalized pustular psoriasis, and erythrodermic psoriasis in real-world practice. Here, we report results of the 20-week interim analysis of the ongoing postmarketing surveillance study. Patients who received guselkumab between May 2018 (the date of commercial launch in Japan) and October 2020 were registered in this study. In total, 411 and 245 patients were included in the safety and effectiveness analysis sets, respectively. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) occurred in 6.6% (27 of 411) and serious ADRs in 2.2% (nine of 411) of patients. The most frequent ADRs by System Organ Class were "Infections and infestations" (2.4%), with nasopharyngitis being the most frequently observed ADR (0.7%). The mean Psoriasis Area Severity Index score decreased from 11.6 at baseline to 6.5 at week 4 and 2.2 at week 20, with improvements achieving statistical significance at each time point. Clinical Global Impression, Dermatology Life Quality Index, and Nail Psoriasis Severity Index outcomesalso showed substantial improvements. Our findings demonstrate that guselkumab is well tolerated and effective in Japanese patients with psoriasis through 20 weeks of treatment in real-world clinical practice, showing significant effectiveness observed as early as 4 weeks. The study was officially registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry with the identifier UMIN000032969.

Autoreactivity to self-antigens LL37 and ADAMTSL5 influences the clinical response to risankizumab in psoriatic patients

The autoantigens LL37 and ADAMTSL5 contribute to induce pathogenetic T-cells responses in a subset of psoriatic patients. Whether the presence of LL37-and/or ADAMTS5-reactive T-cells influences the clinical response to treatment is still unknown. The aim of the study is to evaluate the clinical responses to the anti-IL-23 risankizumab in LL37 and/or ADAMTSL5-reactive patients in comparison with non-reactive ones and to assess whether genetics (HLA-Cw06.02) or BMI influences the response to treatment. Patients were screened at baseline for the presence of circulating LL37 or/and ADAMTSL5-reactive T-cells and were treated as per protocol with risankizumab. Effectiveness data (PASI scores) were collected at weeks 4, 16, 28, 40 and 52. Data were also analyzed based on HLA-Cw06.02 status and BMI. The overall response to treatment of patients with autoreactivity to LL37 or ADAMTSL5 did not differ compared to the non-reactive cohort as measured as PASI75/90/100 at different time points; however, subjects that had autoreactive T-cells to both LL37 and ADAMTS5 demonstrated suboptimal response to treatment starting at week16. HLA-Cw06:02+ patients demonstrated faster response to risankizumab at week 4 compared to HLA-Cw06:02-. Additionally, the response to treatment was influenced by the BMI with slower responses seen in overweight and obese patients at week 4 and week16. In conclusion, while the presence of either LL37-and ADAMTS5-reactive circulating T-cells do not influence the clinical response to risankizumab, the presence of the double reactivity to both LL37 and ADAMTS5 decreases the clinical responses. Moreover, we evidenced that HLA-Cw06+ respond faster to IL-23 inhibition and that BMI, associated to autoreactivity, can influence the speed in response.

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.

From PsO to PsA: the role of TRM and Tregs in psoriatic disease, a systematic review of the literature

Introduction

Psoriasis (PsO) is a chronic skin condition driven by immune mediators like TNFα, INFγ, IL-17, and IL-23. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can develop in PsO patients. Although psoriatic lesions may apparently resolve with therapy, subclinical cutaneous inflammation may persist. The role of tissue-resident memory T-cells (TRM), and regulatory T cells (Tregs) that also contribute to chronic inflammation are being explored in this context. This systematic review explores TRM and Tregs in psoriatic disease (PsD) and its progression.

Methods

A systematic review, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, was performed using Pubmed® and Web of Science™ databases on June 3rd 2023, using patient/population, intervention, comparison, and outcomes (PICO) criteria limited to the English language.

Results

A total of 62 reports were identified and included. In PsO, chronic inflammation is driven by cytokines including IL-17 and IL-23, and cellular mediators such as CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. TRM contributes to local inflammation, while Tregs may be dysfunctional in psoriatic skin lesions. Secukinumab and guselkumab, which target IL-17A and the IL-23p19 subunit, respectively, have different effects on CD8+ TRM and Tregs during PsO treatment. Inhibition of IL-23 may provide better long-term results due to its impact on the Treg to CD8+ TRM ratio. IL-23 may contribute to inflammation persisting even after treatment. In PsA, subclinical enthesitis is perceived as an early occurence, and Th17 cells are involved in this pathogenic process. Recent EULAR guidelines highlight the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to intercept PsA. In PsA, CD8+ TRM cells are present in synovial fluid and Tregs are reduced in peripheral blood. The progression from PsO to PsA is marked by a shift in immune profiles, with specific T-cells subsets playing key roles in perpetuating inflammation. Early intervention targeting TRM cells may hold promising, but clinical studies are limited. Ongoing studies such as IVEPSA and PAMPA aim to improve our knowledge regarding PsA interception in high-risk PsO patients, emphasizing the need for further research in this area.

Conclusion

Early intervention is crucial for PsO patients at high risk of PsA; T cells, particularly type 17 helper T cells, and CD8+ cells are key in the progression from PsO-to-PsA. Early targeting of TRM in PsD shows promise but more research is needed.

A clinical review of structural damage in psoriatic arthritis for dermatologists: From pathogenesis to ongoing controversies

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that often goes unrecognized in patients with psoriasis. As a result, patients may develop significant structural damage before diagnosis and initiation of adequate treatment. Dermatologists are in an unique position to identify early signs and symptoms of PsA. Here, we briefly review the pathogenesis of PsA, differences in PsA presentation within real-world dermatology practice versus rheumatology clinical trials, and imaging modalities that can be used to assess structural damage. We then discuss several ongoing controversies related to prediction, assessment, and treatment of PsA-related structural damage. Debated questions include the following: (1) Does subclinical enthesitis predict progression from psoriasis to PsA?, (2) Does methotrexate inhibit progression of structural damage?, (3) Does structural damage correlate with clinical disease activity?, and (4) Can progression from psoriasis to PsA be prevented? Evidence presented herein suggests that dermatologists, together with rheumatologists, can play important roles in the early diagnosis and treatment of PsA, thereby potentially preventing irreversible structural damage.

Treatment patterns of systemic drug use in Japanese patients with plaque psoriasis: A retrospective chart review

Plaque psoriasis (PsO) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease with skin lesions accompanied by an inflammation-related comorbidity risk. The development of various oral drugs and biologics for PsO has provided increasing systemic treatment options for patients with PsO, and the guidance regarding the use of biologics and PsO treatment schemes are widespread in Japan. However, no comprehensive guidelines regarding systemic drug use are available, and the current treatment patterns of systemic drugs for PsO in Japan remain unclear. We conducted a retrospective chart review to clarify the current treatment patterns of systemic drugs for PsO. We enrolled 114 patients who started systemic drugs for PsO between January 2017 and December 2020 at four institutes, with a mean follow-up of 37.2 months. The mean disease duration was 7.8 (standard deviation 9.5) years at the systemic drug initiation. Of all the patients, 78.1% started with oral drugs (phosphodiesterase [PDE] 4 inhibitors 56.1%. calcineurin inhibitors 14.0%. vitamin A derivatives 7.9%), whereas 21.9% started with biologics (interleukin [IL]-17 inhibitors 9.6%. tumor necrosis factor inhibitors 7.0%. IL-23 inhibitors 3.5%. IL-12/23 inhibitors 1.8%). Oral drugs had shorter drug persistence than biologics: the 12-month persistence of the oral drugs vitamin A derivative, calcineurin inhibitor, and PDE4 inhibitor, was 35.5%, 25.8%, and 60.1%, respectively, compared with that of the biologics IL-23 and IL-17 inhibitors, which was 85.6% and 84.7%, respectively. During the study period, the incidence of treatment changes was 59.1/100 patient-years. Lack of efficacy was the most common reason for treatment changes from monotherapy (34.1%). This retrospective medical chart review allowed us to understand the real-world, long-term treatment patterns of systemic drugs for PsO and the relationships between the reasons for treatment changes and subsequent treatment selection, indicating that there is still room for improvement in the appropriate use of systemic drugs for PsO in Japan.

Difficult-to-treat psoriatic arthritis (D2T PsA): a scoping literature review informing a GRAPPA research project

BACKGROUND

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a multifaceted condition with a broad spectrum of manifestations and a range of associated comorbidities. A notable segment of patients with PsA remains resistant to even advanced therapeutic interventions. This resistance stems from myriad causes, including inflammatory and non-inflammatory factors.

OBJECTIVES

To collate and critically assess the various definitions and criteria of difficult-to-treat (D2T PsA present in the literature.

METHODS

Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines, we conducted a scoping review in July 2023, searching PubMed, American College of Rheumatology Convergence 2022, European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology Congress 2023, Google Scholar and cited articles. Selection was made by two independent authors using Rayyan software, and conflicts were adjudicated by a third author. Eligibility criteria for PubMed focused on all article designs that were written in English, with full-text available, from the past decade, excluding only those not defining D2T PsA or targeting other populations.

RESULTS

From the 565 references sourced, 15 studies were analysed, revealing considerable variations in defining both 'active disease' and 'resistant PsA', which was most often termed 'D2T' PsA.

CONCLUSION

The definitions and criteria for D2T PsA and for 'active disease' are notably heterogeneous, with considerable variation across sources. The ongoing Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis initiative stands to bridge these definitional gaps and aims to provide guidance for clinicians and illuminate a path for pharmaceuticals and regulatory agencies to follow.

Drug- or Vaccine-Induced/Aggravated Psoriatic Arthritis: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

Drugs and vaccines have been less studied as inducing or aggravating factors for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) compared with psoriasis. Thus, the present study collected and summarized the publications to date about this issue.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic literature search through the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases to identify all reports on potential drug- and vaccine-related PsA events until 28 February 2023.

RESULTS

In total, 179 cases from 79 studies were eligible for study. Drugs commonly reported include coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccines (6 cases), bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine (3 cases), interferon (18 cases), immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) (19 cases), and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) (127 cases). Drugs causing psoriasis may also induce or aggravate PsA (6 cases). BDMARD-related PsA mostly occurred in a "paradoxical" setting, in which the bDMARDs approved for the treatment of psoriasis induce or aggravate PsA. The reported latency may be delayed up to 2 years. Peripheral arthritis (82.3%) was the most common manifestation of drug- and vaccine-related PsA, followed by dactylitis (29.1%), enthesitis (23.4%), and spondyloarthritis (17.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Drugs and vaccines may be implicated in the aggravation of PsA. Possible mechanisms include cytokine imbalance, immune dysregulation, or inadequate PsA treatment response compared with psoriasis. Most reports are case based without controls, so more studies are needed to further prove the causality. However, early recognition of factors causing or aggravating PsA is important to prevent the irreversible joint damage.

Association between biological immunotherapy for psoriasis and time to incident inflammatory arthritis: limitations and opportunities

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory immune-mediated disease that affects approximately 30% of psoriasis patients. In most cases, skin disease clearly precedes the musculoskeletal disease. Some studies suggest that targeted treatment may intercept the disease course and prevent psoriasis patients from developing PsA. A recent population-based retrospective analysis in 15 501 psoriasis patients evaluated the association between different biological treatment strategies and time to incident inflammatory arthritis based on data in a US electronic health records database. A cumulative incidence of 2.6 PsA cases per 100 person-years was determined. The multivariable regression analysis revealed a significantly lower risk of developing inflammatory arthritis in patients who had been prescribed interleukin (IL)-12/23 or IL-23 inhibitors compared with tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor-treated patients, whereas there was no significant difference in risk for patients prescribed inhibitors of IL-17 versus TNF. Although the analysis was based on a large set of clinical data and the findings were rigorously evaluated, there are some limitations in interpretation due to the study design. Prospective clinical trials are missing, and retrospective data analyses from clinical trials or population-based studies show conflicting results. Overall, the recent data on prevention of PsA in patients with psoriasis support the high need to characterise biomarkers of increased risk and perform prospective clinical trials to give a clear guidance on possibilities for disease interception in psoriatic disease.

EULAR points to consider for the definition of clinical and imaging features suspicious for progression from psoriasis to psoriatic arthritis

BACKGROUND

The transition from psoriasis (PsO) to psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and the early diagnosis of PsA is of considerable scientific and clinical interest for the prevention and interception of PsA.

OBJECTIVE

To formulate EULAR points to consider (PtC) for the development of data-driven guidance and consensus for clinical trials and clinical practice in the field of prevention or interception of PsA and for clinical management of people with PsO at risk for PsA development.

METHODS

A multidisciplinary EULAR task force of 30 members from 13 European countries was established, and the EULAR standardised operating procedures for development for PtC were followed. Two systematic literature reviews were conducted to support the task force in formulating the PtC. Furthermore, the task force proposed nomenclature for the stages before PsA, through a nominal group process to be used in clinical trials.

RESULTS

Nomenclature for the stages preceding PsA onset, 5 overarching principles and 10 PtC were formulated. Nomenclature was proposed for three stages towards PsA development, namely people with PsO at higher risk of PsA, subclinical PsA and clinical PsA. The latter stage was defined as PsO and associated synovitis and it could be used as an outcome measure for clinical trials evaluating the transition from PsO to PsA. The overarching principles address the nature of PsA at its onset and underline the importance of collaboration of rheumatologists and dermatologists for strategies for prevention/interception of PsA. The 10 PtC highlight arthralgia and imaging abnormalities as key elements of subclinical PsA that can be used as potential short-term predictors of PsA development and useful items to design clinical trials for PsA interception. Traditional risk factors for PsA development (ie, PsO severity, obesity and nail involvement) may represent more long-term disease predictors and be less robust for short-term trials concerning the transition from PsO to PsA.

CONCLUSION

These PtC are helpful to define the clinical and imaging features of people with PsO suspicious to progress to PsA. This information will be helpful for identification of those who could benefit from a therapeutic intervention to attenuate, delay or prevent PsA development.

Risankizumab for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis in adults

INTRODUCTION

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic rheumatic disease that displays a variety of clinical manifestations. Although new treatments have emerged over the last 2 decades, challenges remain in controlling inflammation in multiple PsA clinical domains.

AREAS COVERED

Risankizumab, one of the biologic disease modification anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) that target the interleukin (IL)-23 p19 subunit, was recently approved for PsA worldwide. This review primarily highlights the recent clinical trials of risankizumab covering its physiological evaluation, patient-reported outcomes, and safety profiles in patients with PsA. We also provide evidence for anti-IL-23 therapies against extra-articular manifestations and axial symptoms of PsA. Furthermore, potential distinct efficacies and mechanisms of action in anti-IL-23 therapies are discussed. Overall, risankizumab is effective in a variety of clinical signs and symptoms of PsA regardless of prior bDMARDs experience.

EXPERT OPINION

Accumulating evidence shows that anti-IL-23 drugs, including risankizumab, are promising treatments that can be used as first- or second-line therapies for PsA. However, multiple challenges remain, including confirming efficacy for axial symptoms and identifying the phenotype of specific patients who respond better to risankizumab than other drugs. Lastly, future data focusing on the long-term efficacy and safety of risankizumab beyond the 1-year observation period are also needed.