JAMA Study Finds Deucravacitinib Effective and Safe for Psoriasis Patients
This recent 3-year study revealed that deucravacitinib which is an oral treatment for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis to offer a sustainable and safe long-term option for patients. The analysis combined data from the POETYK PSO-1 and PSO-2 randomized trials and a subsequent long-term extension (LTE) trial. This research published in the JAMA Dermatology evaluated the safety and efficacy of the drug through 148 weeks, despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic coinciding with the LTE trial period.
The PSO-1 and PSO-2 studies were global, double-blinded, phase 3 trials involving patients randomized to receive placebo, deucravacitinib, or apremilast. After 52 weeks, eligible patients could enroll in the nonrandomized LTE trial for open-label deucravacitinib therapy. From August 12, 2019, to June 15, 2022, 513 patients who began deucravacitinib treatment at day 1 transitioned to the LTE trial.
The cumulative analysis demonstrated that the safety profile of this treatment improved or remained consistent over time. Adverse event (AE) rates decreased from the first year (229.2 per 100 person-years) to the 3-year period (144.8 per 100 person-years). Serious AEs and discontinuations due to AEs also remained low, with slight reductions observed over time.
Common AEs, such as nasopharyngitis and upper respiratory tract infections, were less frequent during the three-year period. COVID-19 incidence increased during the pandemic but was well-managed. Other conditions of interest, including herpes zoster, cardiovascular events, and malignancies, occurred at low rates throughout the study.
Efficacy analysis revealed that patients maintained significant improvements in their psoriasis symptoms through 3 years. These measures included achieving a 75% or 90% reduction in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75/90) and reaching clear or almost clear skin ratings on the static Physician Global Assessment scale (sPGA 0/1). These results highlight the durable clinical benefits of continuous deucravacitinib therapy.
Overall, this study establishes deucravacitinib as a safe and effective long-term treatment for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. By maintaining its efficacy and demonstrating a manageable safety profile over 3 years, deucravacitinib offers hope for sustained relief for patients with this chronic condition.
Source:
Armstrong, A. W., Lebwohl, M., Warren, R. B., Sofen, H., Imafuku, S., Ohtsuki, M., Spelman, L., Passeron, T., Papp, K. A., Kisa, R. M., Vaile, J., Berger, V., Vritzali, E., Hoyt, K., Colombo, M. J., Scotto, J., Banerjee, S., Strober, B., Thaçi, D., & Blauvelt, A. (2024). Safety and Efficacy of Deucravacitinib in Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis For Up to 3 Years. In JAMA Dermatology. American Medical Association (AMA). https://doi.org/10.1001/jamadermatol.2024.4688
