10 Jul New Generation Biologic Markedly Improved Psoriasis

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Prof. Dr. med. Kristian Reich
DERMATOLOGIKUM HAMBURG
Hamburg

Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Prof. Reich: The Phase 2b X-PLORE study compared a new generation biologic therapy, guselkumab – an inhibitor of IL–23, with the anti–tumor necrosis factor (TNF)–alpha agent adalimumab (Humira®) and placebo in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque-type psoriasis. It showed that up to 86 percent of patients treated with guselkumab achieved a Physician’s Global Assessment (PGA) score of cleared psoriasis or minimal psoriasis at week 16, the study’s primary endpoint.  Interestingly, levels of efficacy were higher for several guselkumab doses through week 16 when compared to adalimumab. Improvements with guselkumab continued through week 40 with every eight- or twelve-week maintenance treatment.  

Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Prof. Reich: The Phase 2b guselkumab study shows that blockade of IL-23 resulted in significant skin clearance, and provides important insights into the role of IL-23 in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and the potential therapeutic benefit of guselkumab. IL-23 appears to be a particularly attractive therapeutic target in psoriasis given the emerging profile of guselkumab, in particular the combination of high levels of response with a very favorable safety profile and an extremely convenient injection scheme. This is the desirable profile of a new generation biologic therapy.

Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Prof. Reich: As  a dermatologist, I am particularly excited about the potential of guselkumab and what this investigational therapy may mean for patients and the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in the future.  Findings from the ongoing Phase 3 guselkumab studies will provide even greater insights into the efficacy and safety profile of this novel biologic.

Citation:

A Phase 2 Trial of Guselkumab versus Adalimumab for Plaque Psoriasis

Kenneth B. Gordon, M.D., Kristina Callis Duffin, M.D., Robert Bissonnette, M.D., Jörg C. Prinz, M.D., Yasmine Wasfi, M.D., Ph.D., Shu Li, Ph.D., Yaung-Kaung Shen, Ph.D., Philippe Szapary, M.D., M.S.C.E., Bruce Randazzo, M.D., Ph.D., and Kristian Reich, M.D., Ph.D.

N Engl J Med 2015; 373:136-144

July 9, 2015

DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1501646

[wysija_form id=”3″]

Prof. Dr. med. Kristian Reich (2015). New Generation Biologic Markedly Improved Psoriasis 

Last Updated on July 10, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD