Risankizumab for Moderate-to-severe Plaque Psoriasis

Risankizumab is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody. It binds to the p19 subunit of interleukin-23, thus inhibiting this key cytokine and its role in psoriatic inflammation. In a recently published study in The Lancet, researchers aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of risankizumab compared with placebo or ustekinumab in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis. 

Efficacy and safety of risankizumab in moderate-to-severe plaque #psoriasis (UltIMMa-1 and UltIMMa-2): results from two double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled and ustekinumab-controlled phase 3 trials #LancetRheumatology https://t.co/UeTEzFEhdj pic.twitter.com/VFMwIDZ2zi

— The Lancet (@TheLancet) August 8, 2018

Amazing durable response of anti-IL23 vs IL23/12 in Psoriasis Ph3 Trial https://t.co/5Cj0LwCRYP

— Scott R Brodeur (@Dr_Brodeur) August 8, 2018

Two replicate phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled and active comparator-controlled trials were done at 139 sites in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, and the U.S., called UltIMMa-1 and UltIMMa-2. Patients enrolled in the study were 18 years or older, with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis. Patients enrolled were randomly assigned (3:1:1) by use of interactive response technology to receive 150 mg risankizumab, 45 mg or 90 mg ustekinumab (weight-based per label), or placebo. After the 16-week double-blind treatment period, patients that were originally assigned to placebo were switched to 150 mg risankizumab, while the other enrolled patients continued their original treatments. 

Both trials are numbered as NCT02684370 (UltIMMa-1) and NCT02684357 (UltIMMa-2) on ClinicalTrials.gov and have been completed. 

https://twitter.com/mtnhealthcare/status/1029231979336622081  

Results of the study showed that risankizumab showed superior efficacy to both placebo and ustekinumab in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. “Treatment-emergent adverse event profiles were similar across treatment groups and there were no unexpected safety findings,” the researchers concluded.  

For more about psoriasis, check out an article on the dietary recommendations for patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. 

SOURCE: The Lancet