J&J’s Tremfya sees positive results for post-TNFi psoriatic arthritis
pharmafile | June 4, 2021 | News story | Medical Communications | J&J, JJ
Johnson & Johnson’s interleukin-23 (IL-23) Tremfya (guselkumab) has shown positive results in Phase IIIb trials, in post-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor-treated psoriatic arthritis (PsA) treatment.
In the COSMOS Phase IIIb study, the first study evaluating a selective IL-23 inhibitor in adult patients with active PsA, significantly higher proportions of patients treated with guselkumab showed joint symptom improvement and complete skin clearance versus placebo at week 24.
Data from the trial show that 44.4% of patients who received Tremfya versus 19.8% of patients who received placebo achieved at least 20% improvement in the American College of Rheumatology criteria (ARC20) at week 24.
The study also concluded that at week 24 the proportion of patients with greater than or equal to 3% body surface areas psoriatic involvement, and an Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) score ≥2 at baseline who achieved compete skin clearance, was greater among those receiving Tremfya compared to placebo.
Laure Gossec, leader of the study and Professor of Rheumatology in Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital and Pierre & Marie Curie University in Paris, said: “The diverse manifestations, varying natural history, and potential severity of PsA mean that delivering treatments that are generally well-tolerated and have long-term effectiveness is challenging.
“A number of patients do not reach treatment targets of remission or low inflammation with available therapies. In particular, patients may either not respond well to TNFi, or respond but have a loss of response over time.
“These COSMOS data reinforce guselkumab as a therapeutic option with an alternative mechanism of action for adult patients with PsA when their disease management is complex because they have not responded to one or more therapies.”
PsA is a chronic, progressive, immune-mediated disease characterised by pain, stiffness, and swelling in and around both peripheral and axial joints as well as itch and discomfort from skin lesions. People living with PsA can also suffer from sleep disorders, fatigue, stress, and depression.
Alyssa Johnsen, Vice President and Rheumatology Disease Area Leader, Janssen Research & Development, said: “People with PsA live with joint, skin and soft tissue symptoms, but also experience impacts on physical function and social and psychological wellbeing.
“These results further our understanding of the efficacy of guselkumab to treat the varied manifestations of PsA.”
Kat Jenkins
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