The predictors of paradoxical reactions, especially psoriasis, to biologic therapy-findings from the TReasure database: a 5-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to assess the clinical characteristics, predictive factors, and practical algorithms of paradoxical reactions (PRs), specifically paradoxical psoriasis (PP). METHODS: The TReasure database is a web-based prospective observational cohort comprised of patients with RA and SpA from 17 centres around Turkey since 2017. A cohort study and a case-control study nestled within the cohort were identified. RESULTS: In total, 2867 RA and 5316 SpA patients were evaluated. The first biologic agent was found to have caused PRs in 60% of the 136 patients (1.66%) who developed the PRs. The median time interval between the PRs and biological onset was 12 months (range 1-132 months, mean 21 months). The most common types of PP, constituting 92.6% of PRs, were pustular (60.3%) and palmoplantar (30.9%). Adalimumab (30.9%), infliximab (19%) and etanercept (17.4%) were the most common agents causing the PP. In the treatment of most PP patients (73.2%), switching biologic agents was favoured, with TNF inhibitor (TNFi) chosen in 46.03% and non-TNFi in 26.9% of cases. The three most frequently selected drugs were etanercept (24.6%), secukinumab (9.5%) and adalimumab (8.7%). Only 5.17% of patients who switched to another TNFi showed progression. The odds ratios (s) for SSZ, HCQ, and LEF use were significantly higher in RA controls than in PP patients (P = 0.033, OR = 0.15; P = 0.012, OR = 0.15; and P = 0.015, OR = 0.13, respectively). In the PP group with SpA, the number of smokers was significantly higher (P = 0.003, OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.05, 3.81). CONCLUSION: Contrary to expectations based on earlier research suggesting that paradoxical reactions develop with the class effect of biological agents, the response of patients who were shifted to another TNFi was favourable.

Adalimumab or etanercept as first line biologic therapy in enthesitis related arthritis (ERA) - a drug-survival single centre study spanning 10 years.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse and compare drug-survival of adalimumab and etanercept (and their biosimilars) in biologic-naïve patients with ERA (Enthesitis-Related Arthritis). METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, conventional statistics and machine-learning were applied to compare drug-survival (adalimumab, etanercept and their biosimilars initiated: 2009-2019) in ERA and identify determinants. The primary outcome was discontinuation of treatment due to primary- or secondary-failure and adverse drug-reactions. RESULTS: During the observation period, 99 of 188 patients with ERA on first-line TNF inhibitors (etanercept-n=108, adalimumab-n=80) discontinued their treatment (median survival-time 3.9years, 95%CI 2.6-4.9years). Adalimumab was associated with longer drug-survival compared to etanercept especially after an initial positive response, with the median time to treatment discontinuation 4.9years (95% CI 3.9-5.7) for adalimumab, compared to 2years (95%CI 1.4-4.0) for etanercept (HR of treatment-discontinuation-0.49, 95%CI 0.32--0.75, p=0.001). Adjusted by propensity-score, adalimumab-methotrexate combination was associated with longer drug survival, compared to adalimumab-monotherapy (HR-0.41, 95%CI 0.20-0.85), etanercept-monotherapy (HR-0.28, 95%CI 0.15-0.53), and etanercept-methotrexate combination (HR-0.39, 95%CI 0.21-0.73). The presence of HLA-B27 was associated with longer drug-survival (HR-0.50, 95%CI 0.29-0.87) following an initial positive response. Higher-CRP at baseline was associated with higher rate of primary-failure (HR-1.68, 95%CI 1.08-2.62). Axial-ERA (sacroiliitis±spinal-involvement) was associated with poorer drug-survival for both primary- and secondary-failure (overall HR-2.03, 95%CI 1.22-3.40). Adjusted by propensity-score, shorter drug-survival was observed in patients with baseline-CRP≥12.15 mg/L, but only in the context of axial-ERA, not in peripheral-ERA (no sacroiliitis/spinal-involvement) (HR-2.28, 95%CI 1.13--3.64). CONCLUSION: Following an initial positive primary response, continuing methotrexate with adalimumab was associated with the longest drug-survival compared to adalimumab-monotherapy or etanercept-based regimens. Axial-ERA was associated with a poorer drug-survival. A CRP >12.15 in patients with axial-ERA was associated with a higher rate of primary-failure. Further prospective studies are required to confirm these findings.

Long-term survival of biological therapy in psoriatic arthritis: 18-year analysis of a cohort in a tertiary hospital.

To study retention of biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) or apremilast and potential predictors of lack of response in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). A single-center retrospective analysis of PsA patients who received ≥ 1 bDMARD or apremilast during 2000-2018. The main endpoint was lack of response (primary or secondary failure). Analyses included retention of DMARDs (Kaplan-Meier curves) and potential predictors of lack of response (bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models). A total of 159 patients with PsA received up to 8 DMARDs: etanercept (34%), adalimumab (30%), infliximab (9%), golimumab (9%), apremilast (7%), ustekinumab (5%), certolizumab (4%), and secukinumab (2%). Therapy was discontinued in 96 cases (60%), mainly owing to secondary failure (37%), followed by primary failure (25%) and adverse effects (24%). Retention was analyzed based on 313 units of analysis. Duration of follow-up was 846.1 treatment-years (maximum 14.8 years, median 2.75 years). A total of 172 DMARDs were discontinued. The probability of continuing the initial treatment was 37% at 5 years, 22% at 10 years, and 12% at 14 years. The longest medium retention time was observed for infliximab (6.2 years) and etanercept (4.5 years). Predictors of lack of response included male sex, number of swollen joints, and, especially, depression (OR = 35.2). The sensitivity and specificity of the model were 86.4% and 85.7%, respectively, with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 45.6 (ROC, 0.912). Rates of discontinuation due to primary and secondary failure are high in PsA. Retention is better for anti-TNF agents than for other agents.

Biological Therapy Interruption and Re-Treatment in Chronic Plaque Psoriasis.

While biological treatments for chronic plaque psoriasis should be administered continuously to maximize and maintain efficacy, interruptions in therapy may be necessary for a number of reasons. We reviewed the evidence from clinical trials on efficacy, safety and immunogenicity in clinical trials for approved biologic agents for chronic plaque psoriasis. A systematic search of three major medical databases was performed and a total of 35 articles were included into the analysis, including 13 controlled trials. Trials assessing continuous therapy against dosing as-needed therapy (including infliximab, etanercept and secukinumab) have demonstrated superior efficacy for continuous regimes. However, randomized withdrawal trials for etanercept, adalimumab, ixekizumab, brodalumab, guselkumab, risankizumab and tildrakizumab, showed no significant impact on skin clearance rates in patients who are interrupted once and then re-treated. With the possible exception of infliximab, temporary interruption in biologic therapy appears to be safe and most agents will regain efficacy after re-introduction. J Drugs Dermatol. 2021;20(10):1063-1071. doi:10.36849/JDD.5716.

Anti-TNF agent etanercept augments UV-induced skin cancer development in SKH-1 mice.

BACKGROUND: Despite being employed in the treatment of inflammatory disorders for more than 20 years all over the world, data regarding photocarcinogenic risks of anti-TNF agents is scarce. OBJECTIVE: To assess photocarcinogenic potential of anti-TNF agents. METHODS: This was a placebo controlled, split-body (UVB-treated versus -untreated) study on mice. Treatment groups were infliximab (n = 11), etanercept (n = 11), cyclosporine (n = 11) and vehicle control (n = 11). Agents were introduced on the 10th week of phototherapy and continued through 24th week. The macroscopic, histological and immunohistochemical analysis of test sites were carried out. RESULTS: Overall 132 tumors were detected on test sites. All of these tumors developed on UV-exposed sides. Histologic examination of these tumors was compatible with keratinocytic neoplasia in 128, mastocytosis in 3, epidermal cyst in 1. Median tumor burden in the UVB exposed areas for ETN, IFX, CYC, and control groups were 14.91, 10.20, 6.28, and 3.14 cm2, respectively. ETN group demonstrated both higher tumor burden and keratinocytic neoplasia numbers than controls (p = .03, p = .025). Although there were 1.8 and 1.7 times more keratinocytic neoplasms in IFX and CYC groups compared to controls, these differences didn't reach statistically significant levels (p = .14; p = .19). CONCLUSION: This study points out to a significant photocarcinogenic potential of anti-TNF agent etanercept.

Use of ustekinumab after other biological therapies in moderate-severe psoriasis: Real long-term data.

OBJECTIVE: Ustekinumab is used in moderate-severe plaque psoriasis with  inadequate response to anti-tumour necrosis factor α drugs. Recent studies  support the need to assess real long-term data. The aim of this study was to  evaluate the real long-term effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab in  moderate-severe plaque psoriasis refractory to 2 anti-tumour necrosis factor α  drugs. METHOD: Retrospective descriptive study from January 2010 to March 2019. The study included patients with moderate-severe plaque psoriasis previously treated with at least 2 anti-tumour necrosis factor α biologic drugs. The effectiveness  endpoints were Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 90 and 75 response rates at  weeks 24, 48, 72, and 96. Safety was assessed using adverse effects and  treatment withdrawal. RESULTS: A total of 36 patients were included (men, 61%). Ustekinumab was  used after treatment with 2 anti-tumour necrosis factor α drugs in 88.9% of  patients. The biologic drugs most frequently administered prior to ustekinumab  were infliximab (94.4%) and etanercept (91.7%). It was observed that at least  66.7% of patients reached Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 90 at weeks 24,  48, 72, and 96. Adverse effects were recorded in 6 patients. There were no  treatment withdrawals. CONCLUSIONS: Ustekinumab showed real long-term effectiveness and safety in  moderate-severe plaque psoriasis with inadequate response to 2 previous anti- tumour necrosis factor α drugs.

Objetivo: Ustekinumab se usa en psoriasis en placas moderada-grave con  respuesta inadecuada a fármacos antifactor de necrosis tumoral α. Recientes  estudios sostienen la escasez de resultados en vida real a largo plazo. El objetivo es evaluar la efectividad y seguridad de larga duración de ustekinumab en  psoriasis en placas moderada-severa refractaria a dos fármacos antifactor de  necrosis tumoral α.Método: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo entre enero de 2010 y marzo de  2019. Se incluyeron pacientes con psoriasis en placas moderada-grave tratados  previamente con al menos dos agentes biológicos antifactor de necrosis tumoral  α. Las variables de efectividad fueron respuestas Psoriasis Area and Severity  Index 90 y 75 a las 24, 48, 72 y 96 semanas. La seguridad fue valorada  mediante reacciones adversas y suspensiones de tratamiento.Resultados: Se incluyeron 36 pacientes. El 61% fueron varones. Ustekinumab fue usado tras dos fármacos antifactor de necrosis tumoral α en el  88,9% de los pacientes. Los agentes biológicos previos más frecuentes fueron  infliximab (94,4%) y etanercept (91,7%). Se observó que, al menos, el 66,7%  de los pacientes alcanzaron Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 90 en las semanas 24, 48, 72 y 96. Se registraron reacciones adversas asociadas a ustekinumab en  6 pacientes. No hubo suspensiones. Conclusiones: Ustekinumab ha demostrado ser efectivo y seguro a largo plazo  según resultados de vida real en psoriasis en placas moderada-severa tras  respuesta inadecuada a dos fármacos antifactor de necrosis tumoral α.

One Health and Streptococcus Canis in the Emergency Department: A Case of Cellulitis and Bacteremia in an Immunocompromised Patient Treated With Etanercept.

BACKGROUND: One Health is a biomedical approach that aims to optimize the health of humans, animals, and the environment through interdisciplinary collaboration. Cellulitis is an infection of the dermis and subcutaneous fat that may be caused by zoonotic streptococci species. CASE REPORT: We report a case of cellulitis caused by Streptococcus canis in a woman who was taking Etanercept. We frame the presentation within a One Health approach and urge emergency physicians to collaborate with veterinarians in the management of patients with zoonotic diseases who are discharged home. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Pets are a source for zoonotic diseases, including resistant bacteria, that pose particular risk to immunocompromised patients. Emergency physicians often discharge patients with potential zoonotic infections such as cellulitis home without a long-term, holistic care plan, according to a One Health approach. Physicians should then collaborate with veterinarians in caring for humans and animals.

Long-term surveillance of biologic therapies in systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis: data from the German BIKER registry.

OBJECTIVE: Using data from the German Biologics JIA Registry (BIKER), long-term safety of biologics for systemic-onset JIA with regard to adverse events of special interest was assessed. METHODS: Safety assessments were based on adverse event reports after first dose through 90 days after last dose. Rates of adverse event, serious adverse event and 25 predefined adverse events of special interest were analysed. Incidence rates were compared for each biologic against all other biologics combined applying a mixed-effect Poisson model. RESULTS: Of 260 systemic-onset JIA patients in this analysis, 151 patients received etanercept, 109 tocilizumab, 71 anakinra and 51 canakinumab. Patients with etanercept had higher clinical Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score 10 scores, active joint counts and steroid use at therapy start. Serious adverse events were reported with higher frequency in patients receiving canakinumab [20/100 patient years (PY)] and tocilizumab (21/100 PY). Cytopenia and hepatic events occurred with a higher frequency with tocilizumab and canakinumab. Medically important infections were seen more often in patients with IL-6 or IL-1 inhibition. Macrophage activation syndrome occurred in all cohorts with a higher frequency in patients with canakinumab (3.2/100 PY) and tocilizumab (2.5/100 PY) vs anakinra (0.83/100 PY) and etanercept (0.5/100 PY). After adjustment only an elevated risk for infections in anakinra-treated patients remained significant. Three definite malignancies were reported in patients ever exposed to biologics. Two deaths occurred in patients treated with etanercept. CONCLUSION: Surveillance of pharmacotherapy as provided by BIKER is an import approach especially for patients on long-term treatment. Overall, tolerance was acceptable. Differences between several biologics were noted and should be considered in daily patient care.

Risk of major cardiovascular events in patients with psoriasis receiving biologic therapies: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The cardiovascular safety profile of biologic therapies used for psoriasis is unclear. OBJECTIVES: To compare the risk of major cardiovascular events (CVEs; acute coronary syndrome, unstable angina, myocardial infarction and stroke) in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis treated with adalimumab, etanercept or ustekinumab in a large prospective cohort. METHODS: Prospective cohort study examining the comparative risk of major CVEs was conducted using the British Association of Dermatologists Biologics and Immunomodulators Register. The main analysis compared adults with chronic plaque psoriasis receiving ustekinumab with tumour necrosis-α inhibitors (TNFi: etanercept and adalimumab), whilst the secondary analyses compared ustekinumab, etanercept or methotrexate against adalimumab. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using overlap weights by propensity score to balance baseline covariates among comparison groups. RESULTS: We included 5468 biologic-naïve patients subsequently exposed (951 ustekinumab; 1313 etanercept; and 3204 adalimumab) in the main analysis. The secondary analyses also included 2189 patients receiving methotrexate. The median (p25-p75) follow-up times for patients using ustekinumab, TNFi, adalimumab, etanercept and methotrexate were as follows: 2.01 (1.16-3.21), 1.93 (1.05-3.34), 1.94 (1.09-3.32), 1.92 (0.93-3.45) and 1.43 (0.84-2.53) years, respectively. Ustekinumab, TNFi, adalimumab, etanercept and methotrexate groups had 7, 29, 23, 6 and 9 patients experiencing major CVEs, respectively. No differences in the risk of major CVEs were observed between biologic therapies [adjusted HR for ustekinumab vs. TNFi: 0.96 (95% CI 0.41-2.22); ustekinumab vs. adalimumab: 0.81 (0.30-2.17); etanercept vs. adalimumab: 0.81 (0.28-2.30)] and methotrexate against adalimumab [1.05 (0.34-3.28)]. CONCLUSIONS: In this large prospective cohort study, we found no significant differences in the risk of major CVEs between three different biologic therapies and methotrexate. Additional studies, with longer term follow-up, are needed to investigate the potential effects of biologic therapies on incidence of major CVEs.

Asymptomatic reactivation of hepatitis B virus after prolonged treatment with etanercept.

Etanercept is an anti-tumor necrosis factor ɑ (anti-TNFɑ) drug used for treating immunomediated inflammatory diseases. It is least associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation. We present a 71-year-old man with psoriasis refractory to phototherapy and acitretin, which led to etanercept monotherapy. Before anti-TNFɑ treatment, past contact with HBV was elicited; antibodies to HBc and HBs were positive whereas HBsAg was negative. Seven years after treatment initiation, while the patient was completely asymptomatic, a transaminase elevation was found and a reactivation of HBV was documented, with a high viral load of the virus. He started entecavir therapy and, after a 14-month follow-up, the viral load is still detectable at a low level, as well as HBsAg. We emphasize the late and asymptomatic reactivation of HBV associated with soluble anti-TNFɑ monotherapy. This case reinforces the importance of current recommendations for periodic monitoring of viral load and HBV markers in all patients that have had prior contact with HBV (positive anti-HBc), with or without indication for treatment of HBV (HBsAg and HBV-DNA negative).

Eficacia y seguridad de ustekinumab y secukinumab en pacientes adultos con psoriasis vulgar severa, con antecedente de infecciones serias y falla terapéutica a etanercept / Efficacy and safety of ustekinumab and secukinumab in adult patients with severe psoriasis vulgaris, with a history of serious infections and therapeutic failure of etanercept

INTRODUCCIÓN: El presente dictamen expone la evaluación de la eficacia y seguridad de ustekinumab para el tratamiento de pacientes adultos con psoriasis vulgar severa, con antecedente de infecciones serias y falla terapéutica a etanercept, en comparación con la mejor terapia de soporte paliativo (MTSP). La psoriasis vulgar una enfermedad auto inflamatoria crónica que cuenta con una prevalencia cercana al 2.5 % en el Perú. La psoriasis vulgar se define como severa cuando los pacientes presentan un puntaje ≥ 10 en las escalas de medición clínica Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), el Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) o cuando se encuentra un compromiso > 10 % en el grado de afectación de la superficie corporal total (SCT). El Petitorio Farmacológico de EsSalud cuenta con los antagonistas del factor de necrosis tumoral (anti-FNT) infliximab y etanercept, como terapia biológica de primera línea para el tratamiento de los pacientes con psoriasis severa con falla terapéutica a terapia sistémica convencional (e.g. metotrexato, ciclosporina y acitetrina), fototerapia y terapia tópica. Adalimumab, otra terapia anti-FNT, está reservada para aquellos pacientes que presentan falla terapéutica a los dos anti-FNT antes mencionados. En un dictamen preliminar previo (Dictamen Preliminar de Evaluación de Tecnología Sanitaria N° 009-SDEPFYOTS-DETS-IETSI-2018) se estableció, basado en el estudio observacional de baja calidad PSOLAR, que los anti-FNT infliximab y adalimumab incrementan el riesgo de infecciones serias de manera estadísticamente significativa. Mientras tanto, etanercept y ustekinumab, éste último un anticuerpo monoclonal contra la interleuquina (IL) 12/23, no habían mostrado, a la fecha, un aumento del riesgo de infecciones serias. En ese sentido, dado el alto riesgo de infecciones serias con infliximab y adalimumab, en EsSalud está indicado sólo el uso de etanercept como terapia biológica de primera línea de los pacientes con psoriasis vulgar severa con antecedente de infecciones serias. Luego de falla terapéutica a etanercept, en EsSalud se ofrece la mejor terapia de soporte paliativa (MTSP) como esquema de manejo, la cual consiste en el uso de terapia tópica, fototerapia y terapia sistémica convencional de forma paliativa. De esta manera, los especialistas propusieron la evaluación de uso de secukinumab, un anticuerpo monoclonal anti IL-17, y de ustekinumab, como opciones terapéuticas de los pacientes con psoriasis severa con antecedente de infecciones serias, bajo la hipótesis de que tendrían un mejor perfil de eficacia y seguridad que la MTSP. Así, el objetivo del presente dictamen fue evaluar la mejor evidencia sobre la eficacia y seguridad de ustekinumab y secukinumab, en comparación con la MTSP o placebo, en pacientes con psoriasis vulgar severa, con antecedente de infecciones serias y falla terapéutica a etanercept, en términos de PASI 75, DLQI, SCT y eventos adversos (EA). METODOLOGÍA: Se llevó a cabo una búsqueda bibliográfica exhaustiva y jerárquica de la literatura con respecto a la eficacia y seguridad de ustekinumab para el tratamiento de pacientes adultos con psoriasis vulgar severa, con antecedente de infecciones serias y falla terapéutica a etanercept; comparados con el placebo o la MTSP. La búsqueda se inició revisando la información sobre el uso del medicamento de acuerdo con entidades reguladoras como FDA, EMA, y DIGEMID en el Perú. Además, se realizó una búsqueda sistemática en las principales bases de datos, tales como MEDLINE vía PubMed y en Cochrane Library. Asimismo, se realizó una búsqueda manual en las páginas web de grupos dedicados a la investigación y educación en salud que elaboran guías de práctica clínica y/o evaluación de tecnologías sanitarias: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH), Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC), Haute Authorité de Santé (HAS), la Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), la Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) y el Ministerio de Salud del Perú (MINSA). Además, se realizó una búsqueda de las guías de las principales sociedades o instituciones especializadas en dermatología y en psoriasis, tales como la American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), la British Association of Dermatologists (BAD), la European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV), y la International Psoriasis Council (IPC). Por último, se buscaron ensayos clínicos en desarrollo o que no hayan sido publicados en la página web www.clinicaltrials.gov que contengan información acerca de las tecnologías evaluadas, y así disminuir el sesgo de publicación. RESULTADOS: De acuerdo con la pregunta PICO, se llevó a cabo una búsqueda de evidencia científica relacionada al uso de ustekinumab para el tratamiento de los pacientes adultos con psoriasis vulgar severa, con antecedente de infecciones serias y falla terapéutica a etanercept, comparado con el placebo o la MTSP. En la presente sinopsis se describe la evidencia disponible según el tipo de publicación, siguiendo lo indicado en los criterios de elegibilidad (GPC, ETS, RS, MA y ECA fase III). CONCLUSIONES: El presente dictamen evaluó la evidencia científica disponible con relación a la eficacia y seguridad de ustekinumab y secukinumab comparado con la MTSP y el placebo en pacientes adultos con psoriasis vulgar severa, con antecedente de infecciones serias y falla terapéutica a etanercept, en términos de PASI 75, DLQI, SCT, y EA. La revisión sistemática de la literatura científica hasta octubre del 2019 no identificó algún estudio adicional a los nueve ECA incluidos en el cuerpo de la evidencia de la RS y MA llevada a cabo en el Dictamen Preliminar de Evaluación de Tecnología Sanitaria N° 046-SDEPFYOTS-DETS-IETSI-2019 por el Equipo Técnico del IETSI. En ese sentido, se utilizaron los resultados de dicha RS y MA, la cual aportó evidencia indirecta para responder a la pregunta PICO del presente dictamen preliminar. Dado que, se desconoce exactamente qué proporción de los pacientes incluidos en los ECA presentaron antecedentes de infecciones serias o presentaron falla terapéutica a etanercept. En su lugar, la población de interés del presente dictamen corresponde al 41 %, 21 % y 19 % del total de pacientes incluidos en las comparaciones ustekinumab vs. placebo, secukinumab vs. placebo y secukinumab vs. ustekinumab, respectivamente, que fueron los pacientes con psoriasis vulgar moderada a severa que habían recibido terapia biológica previa. La RS y MA llevada a cabo por Equipo Técnico del IETSI que comparó ustekinumab vs. placebo y secukinumab vs. placebo mostró que, a corto plazo (fase de inducción), se tiene un balance riesgo beneficio favorable para ustekinumab y para secukinumab, en la población total de los estudios incluidos. Dado que se presentaron diferencias clínicamente relevantes y estadísticamente significativas respecto al PASI 75, DLQI 0-1 y DLQI a favor de los medicamentos biológicos. Además, ustekinumab y secukinumab presentaron similares riesgos de presentar los desenlaces clave de seguridad EAS, DT por EA y TIS que el placebo. La evidencia de la comparación de secukinumab y ustekinumab mostró que ambas terapias biológicas tendrían una similar eficacia y seguridad, tanto a corto como a largo plazo, en la población total de los estudios incluidos. Dado que, no se presentaron diferencias de relevancia clínica en los desenlaces de eficacia (PASI 75 y DLQI 0-1) y en los desenlaces clave de seguridad (EAS y DT por EA), tanto a corto como a largo plazo. Asimismo, tampoco se presentaron diferencias en la ocurrencia de infecciones serias entre los grupos de tratamiento, luego de 52 semanas de seguimiento. Así, al evidenciar que secukinumab y ustekinumab presentarían un perfil similar de riesgo beneficio (incluyendo los eventos de infecciones serias) durante las fases de inducción y de mantenimiento, no existiría evidencia que lleve a pensar que, siendo similares en eficacia y seguridad, hubiese diferencias en el grupo de pacientes con psoriasis vulgar severa, con antecedente de infecciones serias y falla terapéutica a etanercept. Considerando que la evidencia expuesta en el presente dictamen preliminar muestra que ustekinumab y secukinumab tendrían un balance riesgo beneficio similar en la población de la pregunta PICO, y que se tiene una diferencia en alrededor de S/ 12,053.80 en los costos de adquisición, a favor de secukinumab (costo anual por paciente de S/ 78,332.04 con ustekinumab y S/ 66,278.24 con secukinumab). En consecuencia, la aprobación secukinumab sería la decisión más costo-oportuna para un sistema público de salud, como EsSalud. Por lo expuesto, el Instituto de Evaluaciones de Tecnologías en Salud e Investigación ­ IETSI aprueba el uso de secukinumab para el manejo de los pacientes con psoriasis vulgar severa, con antecedente de infecciones serias y falla terapéutica a etanercept, según lo establecido en el Anexo N° 1. La vigencia del presente dictamen preliminar es de un año a partir de la fecha de publicación. Así, la continuación de dicha aprobación estará sujeta a la evaluación de los resultados obtenidos y de nueva evidencia que pueda surgir en el tiempo.

In vitro human helper T-cell assay to screen antibody drug candidates for immunogenicity.

Monoclonal antibody (mAb) drugs offer a number of valuable treatments. Many newly developed mAb drugs include artificial modification of amino acid sequences from human origin, which may cause higher immunogenicity to induce anti-drug antibodies (ADA). If the immunogenicity of a new candidate can be understood in the nonclinical phase, clinical studies will be safer and the success rate of development improved. Empirically, in vitro immunogenicity assays with human cells have proved to be sufficiently sensitive to nonhuman proteins, but not to human/humanized mAb. To detect the weaker immunogenicity of human-based mAb, a more sensitive biomarker for in vitro assays is needed. The in vitro study here developed a proliferation assay (TH cell assay) using flow cytometry analysis that can detect a slight increase in proliferating TH cells. Samples from 218 donors treated with a low-immunogenic drug (etanercept) were measured to determine a positive threshold level. With this threshold, positive donor percentages among PBMC after treatment with higher-immunogenicity mAb drugs were noted, that is, 39.5% with humanized anti-human A33 antibody (hA33), 27.3% with abciximab, 25.9% with adalimumab, and 14.8% with infliximab. Biotherapeutics with low immunogenicity yielded values of 0% for basiliximab and 3.7% for etanercept. These data showed a good comparability with previously reported incidences of clinical ADA with the evaluated drugs. Calculations based on the data here showed that a TH cell assay with 40 donors could provide statistically significant differences when comparing low- (etanercept) versus highly immunogenic mAb (except for infliximab). Based on the outcomes here, for screening purposes, a practical cutoff point of 3/20 positives with 20 donors was proposed to alert immunogenicity of mAb drug candidates.

Absolute and Relative Psoriasis Area and Severity Indices (PASI) for Comparison of the Efficacy of Ixekizumab to Etanercept and Placebo in Patients with Moderate-to-severe Plaque Psoriasis: An Integrated Analysis of UNCOVER-2 and UNCOVER-3 Outcomes.

Treatment goals defined by the absolute Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores offer certain advantages in the clinical setting. In order to investigate potential treatment targets, this study evaluated absolute PASI outcomes relative to other measures of response using data from two randomized clinical trials of patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis treated with ixekizumab, etanercept, or placebo (n=2,567). Response was assessed throughout 12 weeks as the proportion of patients achieving absolute PASI band cut-offs who also reached established response criteria. Most PASI band ≤2 responders also achieved PASI 90 (70.1-100%), static Physician's Global Assessment (0,1) (91.3-96.1%), Dermatology Life Quality Index (0,1) (63.0-67.7%), Patient Global Assessment of Disease Severity (0,1) (80.3-86.7%), and Itch Numeric Rating Scale improvement ≥4 (87.2-87.6%). Agreement sharply decreased for less stringent PASI criteria. These data indicate that PASI ≤2 represents significantly meaningful clinical and health-related quality of life improvements and may be a suitable treatment target for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Active Tuberculosis in Patients with Psoriasis Receiving Biologic Therapy: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Biologic therapies pose a risk for opportunistic infections, especially for reactivating latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). OBJECTIVE: The aim was to describe the clinical features and mortality rate of active Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) in psoriasis patients receiving biologic therapies. METHODS: A systematic review of PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases was performed. Studies describing active TB in patients with psoriasis receiving biologic therapy from inception to May 31, 2018 were included. Clinical data as well as mortality rates were recorded. RESULTS: Fifty-one studies were included, evaluating 78 patients with active TB: 11 prospective studies, 13 retrospective, and 27 case reports/series. Most patients (73%) with active TB were male, the mean age was 48 ± 13 years, and 85% were of European or Asian origin. Pre-treatment LTBI screening was negative for 63% of patients. Disease presented in 33% of patients within the first 3 months of treatment, and in 51% within the first 6 months. Most patients (72%) presented with extra-pulmonary TB, and 49% had disseminated disease. The mortality rate was 7%. LIMITATIONS: Limitations of this review are its small sample size and inclusion of case reports. CONCLUSIONS: Some patients develop active TB despite LTBI screening. Clinicians initiating biologic therapy in patients with psoriasis should be aware of the clinical features of active TB in this scenario.

Evaluation of the antirheumatic effects of isoflavone-free soy protein isolate and etanercept in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis.

IMPACT STATEMENT: In view of the partial clinical benefit and significant toxicity of traditional rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatments, there is a growing trend to use complementary therapy. The antiarthritic activity of soy is related to the effect of soy isoflavones. However, little is known about the antiarthritic activity of soy protein itself. This study demonstrates that soy protein isolate (SPI) and etanercept (ETN), a tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitor, protect rats against the effects of adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) by reducing inflammation (TNF-α and matrix metalloproteinase-3), autoantibody production (anticyclic citrullinated peptide), and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde). Only SPI improved dyslipidemia accompanied by RA, giving it the advantage of reducing cardiovascular risk. Additionally, the severity of arthritis-induced pathology, including inflammatory infiltrates, synovial hyperplasia, pannus formation, synovial vascularity, and cartilage erosions, was reduced by both SPI and ETN. This research ascertains the possible antiarthritic effect of SPI, making it a recommended alternative therapy for RA.

Adverse Medical Conditions Across Treatment Options in Patients With Psoriasis: A Claims-Based Analysis

Objective: To assess the real-world risk of developing adverse medical conditions (AMCs) among patients with psoriasis treated with biologic therapies or conventional systemic/topical therapies (CST/topical). Methods: Adult patients with psoriasis were identified from the Truven MarketScan US claims database (2008 Q3­2015 Q3) and classified into cohorts based on treatment initiated on the index date (adalimumab [ADA], etanercept [ETN], ustekinumab [UST], infliximab [IFX], or CST/topical). Incident AMCs were identified while on treatment from diagnoses recorded in medical claims and included abnormal test results, infections, mental disorders, cardiovascular disease, malignancies (skin and non-skin), and respiratory disease. Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare AMC risk for (1) ADA, ETN, and UST (separately) vs CST/topical, and (2) ADA vs other biologic therapies (ETN, UST, and IFX combined). Regressions were adjusted for age, gender, region, insurance plan type, year, Charlson comorbidity index, and prior AMCs; and based on stepwise selection, comorbidities, specialist encounters, and frequently prescribed treatments. Results: A total of 42,981 patients were identified (ADA: 5,197; ETN: 3,311; UST: 1,370; IFX: 187; CST/topical: 32,916). Across cohorts, median age was 46­50 years, 46.2%­53.1% were female, and median follow-up duration was 3.3­7.9 months. For all cohorts, infection was the most frequent AMC (28.7%­41.8%). Compared with CST/topical, ADA, ETN, and UST were associated with a lower risk of infections (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 0.93, 0.92, and 0.86, respectively, all P<0.05). ADA was associated with a lower risk of malignancies (aHR: 0.71, P<0.05), and ETN was associated with a lower risk of respiratory disease (aHR: 0.80, P<0.05). Compared with biologic therapies, ADA was not associated with higher risk of AMCs. Conclusions: Compared to CST/topical, biologic therapies were associated with similar or lower risk of AMCs. Comparison between ADA and other biologic therapies suggests a similar safety profile with respect to the studied AMCs.

Enfermedad por arañazo de gato en paciente con artritis reumatoidea tratado con etanercept / Cat scratch disease during etanercept therapy in a rheumatoid arthritis patient

La enfermedad por arañazo de gato (EAG) es una enfermedad infecciosa causada por la proteobacteria Bartonella henselae, caracterizada por fiebre y linfadenopatía granulomatosa. La inmunosupresión es un factor de riesgo para el desarrollo de formas atípicas de la enfermedad. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 52 años de edad que presentó fiebre y adenomegalias inguinales bilaterales. No tenía contacto aparente con animales. La paciente estaba recibiendo tratamiento con etanercept por artritis reumatoidea. La biopsia del ganglio linfático informó de una adenopatía granulomatosa. Evolucionó favorablemente con la interrupción de etanercept y el tratamiento con minociclina. Presentó remisión clínica y la seroconversión típica. La infección por Bartonella debería ser considerada como un diagnóstico diferencial en pacientes con artritis reumatoidea, con linfadenopatía de origen desconocido

Cat scratch disease (CSD) is an infectious disorder caused by Bartonella henselae and characterized by fever and granulomatous lymphadenopathy. Immunosuppression is a risk factor for the development of atypical forms of the disease. We report the case of a 52-year-old woman who presented with fever and bilateral inguinal lymph node enlargement. She did not have apparent contact with animals. The patient was receiving etanercept therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Lymph node biopsy demonstrated granulomatous lymphadenitis. She was successfully managed by discontinuing etanercept and by treatment with minocycline. She developed clinical remission and typical seroconversion. Infection with Bartonella should be considered in the differential diagnosis in rheumatoid arthritis patients with lymphadenopathy of unknown origin

ESCMID Study Group for Infections in Compromised Hosts (ESGICH) Consensus Document on the safety of targeted and biological therapies: an infectious diseases perspective (Soluble immune effector molecules [I]: anti-tumor necrosis factor-α agents).

BACKGROUND: The present review is part of the ESCMID Study Group for Infections in Compromised Hosts (ESGICH) Consensus Document on the safety of targeted and biological therapies. AIMS: To review, from an Infectious Diseases perspective, the safety profile of agents targeting tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and to suggest preventive recommendations. SOURCES: Computer-based MEDLINE searches with MeSH terms pertaining to each agent or therapeutic family. CONTENT: Preclinical and clinical evidence indicate that anti-TNF-α therapy (infliximab, adalimumab, golimumab, certolizumab pegol and etanercept) is associated with a two-to four-fold increase in the risk of active tuberculosis and other granulomatous conditions (mostly resulting from the reactivation of a latent infection). In addition, it may lead to the occurrence of other serious infections (bacterial, fungal, opportunistic and certain viral infections). These associated risks seem to be lower for etanercept than other agents. Screening for latent tuberculosis infection should be performed before starting anti-TNF-α therapy, followed by anti-tuberculosis therapy if appropriate. Screening for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is also recommended, and antiviral prophylaxis may be warranted for hepatitis B surface antigen-positive individuals. No benefit is expected from the use of antibacterial, anti-Pneumocystis or antifungal prophylaxis. Pneumococcal and age-appropriate antiviral vaccinations (i.e. influenza) should be administered. Live-virus vaccines (i.e. varicella-zoster virus or measles-mumps-rubella) may be contraindicated in people receiving anti-TNF-α therapy, although additional data are needed before definitive recommendations can be made. IMPLICATIONS: Prevention measures should be implemented to reduce the risk of latent tuberculosis or HBV reactivation among individuals receiving anti-TNF-α therapy.

Adverse Reactions to Biologics in Psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease which affects millions of people worldwide. Not only can psoriasis itself be debilitating and significantly reduce an individual's quality of life, but it is also a risk factor for other systemic disorders, such as metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and malignancy. Tremendous strides were made in the treatment of psoriasis during the mid-to-late-20th century, including the emergence of topical corticosteroids and vitamin D analogs, methotrexate, systemic retinoids, and phototherapy. However, it was not until 2004 with the advent of systemic biologic agents, which precisely target components of the immune system involved in the pathophysiological process of psoriasis, that the primary treatment benchmark increased from 50% improvement in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 50) to PASI 75, PASI 90, and even PASI 100, or complete resolution of cutaneous disease. Today, many patients receiving biologic therapy routinely experience greater than 75% or 90% reduction in cutaneous disease burden and a significant improvement in overall quality of life. These biologic agents are generally well-tolerated and safe but, like any medication, have associated adverse effects, some of which are predictable based on the effects of immune modulation, animal model studies, and human populations with known cytokine deficiencies. Going forward, it will be important to carefully monitor the safety profiles of these agents in both clinical trials and post-marketing surveillance registries to ensure long-term safety. It is reassuring that large safety registries are consistent in demonstrating an improved safety profile with newer and emerging biologic therapies.

Expert Recommendations on Treating Psoriasis in Special Circumstances (Part II). / Recomendaciones de expertos para el tratamiento de la psoriasis en situaciones especiales (II).

BACKGROUND: There is insufficient information on how best to treat moderate to severe psoriasis in difficult clinical circumstances. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We considered 5 areas where there is conflicting or insufficient evidence: pediatric psoriasis, risk of infection in patients being treated with biologics, psoriasis in difficult locations, biologic drug survival, and impact of disease on quality of life. Following discussion of the issues by an expert panel of dermatologists specialized in the management of psoriasis, participants answered a questionnaire survey according to the Delphi method. RESULTS: Consensus was reached on 66 (70.9%) of the 93 items analyzed; the experts agreed with 49 statements and disagreed with 17. It was agreed that body mass index, metabolic comorbidities, and quality of life should be monitored in children with psoriasis. The experts also agreed that the most appropriate systemic treatment for this age group was methotrexate, while the most appropriate biologic treatment was etanercept. Although it was recognized that the available evidence was inconsistent and difficult to extrapolate, the panel agreed that biologic drug survival could be increased by flexible, individualized dosing regimens, continuous treatment, and combination therapies. Finally, consensus was reached on using the Dermatology Quality of Life Index to assess treatment effectiveness and aid decision-making in clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: The structured opinion of experts guides decision-making regarding aspects of clinical practice for which there is incomplete or conflicting information.