Factors predicting treatment response to biological and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in psoriatic arthritis - a systematic review and meta-analysis

The therapeutic response of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) varies greatly and is often unsatisfactory. Accordingly, it is essential to individualise treatment selection to minimise long-term complications. This study aimed to identify factors that might predict treatment response to biological and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs and tsDMARDs) in patients with PsA and to outline their potential application using artificial intelligence (AI). Five electronic databases were screened to identify relevant studies. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed for factors that were investigated in at least four studies. Finally, 37 studies with a total of 17,042 patients were included. The most frequently investigated predictors in these studies were sex, age, C-reactive protein (CRP), the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), BMI, and disease duration. The meta-analysis revealed that male sex (odds ratio (OR) = 2.188, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.912-2.503) and higher baseline CRP (1.537, 1.111-2.125) were associated with greater treatment response. Older age (0.982, 0.975-0.99), higher baseline HAQ score (0.483, 0.336-0.696), higher baseline DAPSA score (0.789, 0.663-0.938), and higher baseline tender joint count (TJC) (0.97, 0.945-0.996) were negatively correlated with the response to therapy. The other factors were not statistically significant but might be of clinical importance in the context of a complex AI test battery. Further studies are needed to validate these findings and identify novel factors that could guide personalised treatment decisions for PsA patients, in particular in developing AI applications. In accordance with the latest medical developments, decision-support tools based on supervised learning algorithms have been proposed as a clinical application of these predictors. Key messages • Given the often unsatisfactory and unpredictable therapeutic response in patients with Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA), treatment selection must be highly individualized. • A systematic literature review was conducted to identify the most reliable predictors of treatment response to biologic and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in PsA patients. • The potential integration of these predictors into AI tools for routine clinical practice is discussed.

Efficacy and Safety of Bimekizumab in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis With or Without Methotrexate: 52-Week Results From Two Phase 3 Studies

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess 52-week efficacy and safety of bimekizumab in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) with or without concomitant methotrexate (+/-MTX) treatment at baseline.

METHODS

We conducted a post hoc analysis of patients in BE OPTIMAL (NCT03895203; biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug [bDMARD]-naïve), BE COMPLETE (NCT03896581; prior inadequate response or intolerance to tumor necrosis factor inhibitors [TNFi-IR]), and the BE VITAL open-label extension (NCT04009499) study. Patients were randomized to one of the following treatment groups: bimekizumab 160 mg every four weeks, placebo, or a reference drug (adalimumab 40 mg every two weeks; BE OPTIMAL only). From Week 16, placebo-randomized patients received bimekizumab. Missing data were imputed using non-responder imputation, multiple imputation, or worst-category imputation.

RESULTS

Through Week 52, similar proportions of bimekizumab-treated patients achieved American College of Rheumatology 50% (ACR50) response criteria for both +MTX and -MTX (BE OPTIMAL: 54.4% +MTX, 54.7% -MTX; BE COMPLETE: 56.3% +MTX, 48.0% -MTX). Similar proportions of bimekizumab-treated patients achieved complete skin clearance (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 100% [PASI100] response) and minimal disease activity in both +MTX and -MTX groups. Similar trends were seen in placebo/bimekizumab-treated patients. Through Week 52, the proportion of bimekizumab-treated patients with ≥1 treatment-emergent adverse event were similar between the +MTX and -MTX groups (BE OPTIMAL 325 of 410 [79.3%] vs 230 of 292 [78.8%], BE COMPLETE 105 of 168 [62.5%] vs 138 of 220 [62.7%]). The safety profile was comparable between subgroups and consistent with the prior safety profile of bimekizumab.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with bimekizumab demonstrated consistent, sustained efficacy to 52 weeks in bDMARD-naïve and TNFi-IR patients with PsA and was well tolerated, irrespective of concomitant MTX.

Development and evaluation of shared decision-making tools in rheumatology: A scoping review

INTRODUCTION

Shared decision-making (SDM) tools are facilitators of decision-making through a collaborative process between patients/caregivers and clinicians. These tools help clinicians understand patient's perspectives and help patients in making informed decisions based on their preferences. Despite their usefulness for both patients and clinicians, SDM tools are not widely implemented in everyday practice. One barrier is the lack of clarity on the development and evaluation processes of these tools. Such processes have not been previously described in the field of rheumatology.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the development and evaluation processes of shared decision-making (SDM) tools used in rheumatology.

METHODS

Bibliographic databases (e.g., EMBASE and CINAHL) were searched for relevant articles. Guidelines for the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews were followed. Studies included were: addressing SDM among adults in rheumatology, focusing on development and/or evaluation of SDM tool, full texts, empirical research, and in the English language.

RESULTS

Of the 2030 records screened, forty-six reports addressing 36 SDM tools were included. Development basis and evaluation measures varied across the studies. The most commonly reported development basis was the International Patient Decision Aids Standards (IPDAS) criteria (19/36, 53 %). Other developmental foundations reported were: The Ottawa Decision Support Framework (ODSF) (6/36, 16 %), Informed Medical Decision Foundation elements (3/36, 8 %), edutainment principles (2/36, 5.5 %), and others (e.g. DISCERN and MARKOV Model) (9/31,29 %). The most commonly used evaluation measures were the Decisional Conflict Scale (18/46, 39 %), acceptability and knowledge (7/46, 15 %), and the preparation for decision-making scale (5/46,11 %).

CONCLUSION

For better quality and wider implementation of such tools, there is a need for detailed, transparent, systematic, and consistent reporting of development methods and evaluation measures. Using established checklists for reporting development and evaluation is encouraged.

Impact of immunosuppressive therapy on SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine effectiveness in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: a Danish nationwide cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Patients receiving immunosuppressives have been excluded from trials for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine efficacy. Investigation of immunosuppressants' impact on effectiveness of vaccines, particularly in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID), is therefore required.

DESIGN

We performed a nationwide cohort study to assess the risk of COVID-19 infection in vaccinated patients with IMID exposed to immunosuppressives compared with IMID unexposed to immunosuppressives. Exposure to immunosuppressives in the 120 days before receiving the second SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination was assessed. Patients were followed from date of second vaccination and weighted Cox models were used to estimate the risk of infection associated with immunosuppressives. Secondary outcomes included hospitalisation and death associated with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test. Risk of infection by immunosuppressant drug class was also analysed.

SETTING

This study used population-representative data from Danish national health registries in the period from 1 January to 30 November 2021.

RESULTS

Overall, 152 440 patients were followed over 19 341 person years. Immunosuppressants were associated with a significantly increased risk of infection across IMID (HR: 1.4, 95% CI 1.2 to 1.5), in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (HR: 1.6, 95% CI 1.4 to 1.9) and arthropathy (HR: 1.3, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.4) but not psoriasis (HR: 1.1, 95% CI 0.9 to 1.4). Immunosuppressants were also associated with an increased risk of hospitalisation across IMID (HR: 1.4, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.0), particularly in IBD (HR: 2.1, 95% CI 1.0 to 4.1). No significantly increased risk of death in immunosuppressant exposed patients was identified. Analyses by immunosuppressant drug class showed increased COVID-19 infection and hospitalisation with anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF), systemic corticosteroid, and rituximab and other immunosuppressants in vaccinated patients with IMID.

CONCLUSION

Immunosuppressive therapies reduced effectiveness of mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination against infection and hospitalisation in patients with IMID. Anti-TNF, systemic corticosteroids, and rituximab and other immunosuppressants were particularly associated with these risks.

Navigating the landscape of psoriasis therapy: novel targeted pathways and emerging trends

INTRODUCTION

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory, non-communicable skin disorder that affects a patient's social and emotional well-being. It is characterized by hyperproliferation of keratinocytes, irregular shedding of skin cells, and abnormal invasion of inflammatory mediators. The treatment strategy is designed based on the severity of the disease condition starting from topical, phototherapy, systemic, and biologics. In recent years, extensive research into the underlying mechanisms of psoriasis has led to significant advancement in treatment options from small molecules to biologics.

AREA COVERED

This review focuses on intracellular and molecular mechanisms such as AhR, A3AR, RIP1, CGRP, and S1P that serve as novel pharmacological targets for psoriasis. Moreover, new molecules are approved or are under clinical investigation to interfere with these target mechanisms.

EXPERT OPINION

A detailed understanding of signaling pathways provides potential targets and molecular mechanisms for the inflammatory cascade in psoriasis. This has led to the development of small molecules targeting specific pathways. Further, the combination of nanotechnology can assist in dose reduction leading to reduced adverse effects in the management of psoriasis.

Repurposed and investigational disease-modifying drugs in osteoarthritis (DMOADs)

In spite of a major public health burden with increasing prevalence, current osteoarthritis (OA) management is largely palliative with an unmet need for effective treatment. Both industry and academic researchers have invested a vast amount of time and financial expense to discover the first diseasing-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs), with no regulatory success so far. In this narrative review, we discuss repurposed drugs as well as investigational agents which have progressed into phase II and III clinical trials based on three principal endotypes: bone-driven, synovitis-driven and cartilage-driven. Then, we will briefly describe the recent failures and lessons learned, promising findings from predefined post hoc analyses and insights gained, novel methodologies to enhance future success and steps underway to overcome regulatory hurdles.

Treatment patterns and sequencing in patients with rheumatic diseases: a retrospective claims data analysis

OBJECTIVES

Long-term real-world management of inflammatory rheumatic diseases remains unclear, especially with the advent of new treatment options. This study characterizes the number of advanced treatments used by patients with selected rheumatic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis [RA], psoriatic arthritis [PsA], ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis) and provides a contemporary portrait of treatment patterns and therapeutic sequencing among patients with RA and PsA.

METHOD

Patients were selected from a large US claims database and classified into disease subsamples based on the latest rheumatic diagnosis recorded before/on the day of initiation of the first advanced treatment (index date). The total number of advanced treatments was assessed within the first 5 years following the index date. Treatment patterns and therapeutic sequencing were assessed over the first 2 years.

RESULTS

Approximately 20% of patients received ≥2 distinct advanced treatments during the first year following index date - the proportion increased to almost 50% among patients with 5 years of observation. Most patients (RA: 76.8%; PsA: 88.7%) initiated a tumor necrosis factor as the first advanced treatment. Over the first 2 years after the index date, 1/3 of RA and PsA patients switched to another advanced treatment. More than 50% initiated a second treatment with the same mechanism of action (MOA). A small proportion of patients received a biosimilar.

CONCLUSION

Despite advent of treatments with different MOA, cycling between treatments with the same MOA was common. Further studies with longer data follow-up would be needed to assess the impact of higher adoption of biosimilars on treatment patterns/sequencing.

Severe psoriasis presenting with rapidly progressive (crescentic) IgA-predominant glomerulonephritis

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is commonly associated with psoriasis; however, psoriasis presenting with crescentic IgAN is uncommon. A 49-year-old man with erythrodermic psoriasis with arthritis and stage 2 chronic kidney disease presented to the emergency department with worsening peripheral oedema and difficulty breathing. The patient had been hospitalised previously for a psoriasis flare. He was found to have an acute kidney injury on chronic kidney disease and was diagnosed with crescentic IgA glomerulonephritis on his first hospitalisation. He was treated with corticosteroids and was discharged stable with a plan to start cyclophosphamide in the outpatient setting. On his current hospitalisation, cyclophosphamide was added to his corticosteroids. Crescentic IgAN is rare. Its management has been based largely on observational studies. Our case highlights the importance of starting combined corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide early in crescentic IgAN and that corticosteroid monotherapy is insufficient in controlling disease progression.

Model to Determine the Cost-Effectiveness of Screening Psoriasis Patients for Psoriatic Arthritis

OBJECTIVE

Screening psoriasis patients for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is intended to identify patients at earlier stages of the disease. Early treatment is expected to slow disease progression and delay the need for biologic therapy. Our objective was to determine the cost-effectiveness of screening for PsA in patients with psoriasis in Canada.

METHODS

A Markov model was built to estimate the costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) of screening tools for PsA in psoriasis patients. The screening tools included the Toronto Psoriatic Arthritis Screen, Psoriasis Epidemiology Screening Tool, Psoriatic Arthritis Screening and Evaluation, and Early Psoriatic Arthritis Screening Questionnaire (EARP) questionnaires. States of health were defined by disability levels as measured by the Health Assessment Questionnaire. State transitions were modeled based on annual disease progression. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios and incremental net monetary benefits were estimated. Sensitivity analyses were undertaken to account for parameter uncertainty and to test model assumptions.

RESULTS

Screening was cost-effective compared to no screening. The EARP tool had the lowest total cost ($2,000 per patient per year saved compared to no screening) and the highest total QALYs (additional 0.18 per patient compared to no screening). The results were most sensitive to test accuracy and the efficacy of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). No screening was cost-effective (at $50,000 per QALY) relative to screening when DMARDs failed to slow disease progression.

CONCLUSION

If early therapy with DMARDs delays biologic treatment, implementing screening in patients with psoriasis in Canada is expected to represent a cost savings of $220 million per year and improve the quality of life.

A primary care approach to the management of Arthritis

Arthritis is a common condition seen frequently by family practitioners, and there are many types of arthritis. Management of arthritis depends largely on the specific type of arthritis that the patient suffers from. In this article, we will provide the primary care doctor with practical information for managing arthritis, focussing on the management of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Treat to Target in Psoriatic Arthritis

A treat-to-target approach to psoriatic arthritis has emerged as a topic of interest following successful application of this treatment paradigm to rheumatoid arthritis. In psoriatic arthritis, this has been examined in one randomized trial to date showing benefits of a tight control treatment strategy over standard care. Nonetheless, international treatment recommendations have called for clinicians to aim for a target of remission or low disease activity, although little or no consensus exists on how to measure these targets. An ideal measure to define a treatment target should be able to address all the disease domains and preferences pertinent to an individual patient.