New Study Presented at 2024 EULAR Congress Highlights Potential Breakthrough
Recent research unveiled at the 2024 EULAR Congress suggests that targeted use of specific biologics could prevent the progression of psoriasis to psoriatic arthritis (PsA). This finding, derived from a global network of medical data, holds significant promise for improving patient outcomes.
Psoriatic arthritis affects between 6 and 42 percent of individuals with psoriasis, with skin symptoms typically appearing before PsA. This pattern positions skin psoriasis as a model for pre-PsA, indicating that aggressive treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis might hinder the progression to clinically evident PsA.
Extensive Data Analysis
The retrospective study utilized extensive electronic records from over one million psoriasis patients worldwide. Researchers compared the incidence of new-onset PsA among those receiving either first- or second-line biologics, including tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) and biologics targeting interleukins (IL-12i, 23i, 17i, and 12/23i).
The incidence of PsA was assessed over five years, using the first-line TNFi population as a baseline comparator. The findings were striking: the risk of developing PsA during first-line treatment was 37 percent lower with IL-12/23i and 39 percent lower with IL-23i compared to TNFi at the five-year mark. For second-line treatment, the risk was 32 percent lower with IL-12/23i and 31 percent lower with IL-23i at three years than with a first-line TNFi.
Additionally, IL-23i presented a 47 percent lower probability of developing PsA compared to IL-17i at both three and five years for first- and second-line treatments.
Implications of the Findings
This large-scale analysis, leveraging Big Data, provides invaluable insights into the real-world efficacy of these drugs. The study’s relevance is underscored by its exploration of PsA incidence in matched, adjusted cohorts over a five-year follow-up period.
The data indicate that IL-12/23i and IL-23i significantly reduce the incidence of PsA compared to TNFi and IL-17i, both in patients new to biologic treatments and those with prior biologic experience. This suggests a substantial advancement in the potential to intercept PsA before it manifests clinically.
Conclusion
As our understanding of these biologics grows, the possibility of preventing PsA from developing in psoriasis patients becomes increasingly feasible. The study, led by Joven-Ibáñez B. et al., marks a significant step forward in psoriasis and PsA treatment strategies.
Related Topics:
