Thaçi D, Eyerich K, Pinter A, Sebastian M, Unnebrink K, Rubant S, Williams DA, Weisenseel P. Direct comparison of risankizumab and fumaric acid esters in systemic therapy-naïve patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis: a randomized controlled trial.
Br J Dermatol 2021;
186:30-39. [PMID:
33991341 PMCID:
PMC9291944 DOI:
10.1111/bjd.20481]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Background
Fumaric acid esters (FAEs; Fumaderm®) are the most frequently prescribed first‐line systemic treatment for moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis in Germany. Risankizumab (Skyrizi®) is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to the p19 subunit of interleukin 23.
Objectives
To compare risankizumab treatment to FAEs in patients with psoriasis.
Methods
This phase III randomized, active‐controlled, open‐label study with blinded assessment of efficacy was conducted in Germany. Patients were randomized (1 : 1) to subcutaneous risankizumab 150 mg (weeks 0, 4 and 16) or oral FAEs at increasing doses from 30 mg daily (week 0) up to 720 mg daily (weeks 8–24). Enrolled patients were adults naïve to and candidates for systemic therapy, with chronic moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis. Phototherapy was not allowed within 14 days before or during the study.
Results
Key efficacy endpoints were met at week 24 for risankizumab (n = 60) vs. FAEs (n = 60) (P < 0·001): achievement of a ≥ 90% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI; primary endpoint 83·3% vs. 10·0%), ≥ 100% improvement in PASI (50·0% vs. 5·0%), ≥ 75% improvement in PASI (98·3% vs. 33·3%), ≥ 50% improvement in PASI (100% vs. 53·3%) and a Static Physician’s Global Assessment of clear/almost clear (93·3% vs. 38·3%). The rates of gastrointestinal disorders, flushing, lymphopenia and headache were higher in the FAE group. One patient receiving risankizumab reported a serious infection (influenza, which required hospitalization). There were no malignancies, tuberculosis or opportunistic infections in either treatment arm.
Conclusions
Risankizumab was found to be superior to FAEs, providing earlier and greater improvement in psoriasis outcomes that persisted with continued treatment, and more favourable safety results, which is consistent with the known safety profile. No new safety signals for risankizumab or FAEs were observed.
What is already known about this topic?
Risankizumab (Skyrizi®) is approved as treatment for patients with moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy.
Risankizumab is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to the p19 subunit of interleukin 23.
Fumaric acid esters (FAEs) are the most frequently prescribed first‐line systemic treatment for moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis in Germany.
What does this study add?
In patients with psoriasis who were naïve to systemic treatment, risankizumab treatment was superior to FAEs, providing earlier and greater improvement in psoriasis outcomes that persisted to week 24.
Risankizumab showed more favourable safety results than FAEs and no new safety signals.
The results support risankizumab treatment for patients with moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis who are naïve to systemic treatment.
Linked Comment: P. Fleming. Br J Dermatol 2022; 186:4–5.
Plain language summary available online
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