The Budget Impact of Introducing Tildrakizumab to a United States Health Plan for Managing Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis

Cost per response analysis of deucravacitinib versus apremilast and first-line biologics among patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in the United States

BACKGROUND

Understanding the economic value of deucravacitinib and apremilast could assist treatment decision-making for patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

OBJECTIVE

This study compared the cost per response (CPR) for US patients initiating deucravacitinib versus apremilast for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

METHODS

A CPR model using pharmacy and administration costs was developed from a US payer perspective. Response was defined as a 75% reduction from baseline in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75) at weeks 16 and 24. Long-term response was defined as the cumulative benefit over 52 weeks, measured as area under the curve; subsequent treatment was included. Scenario analyses explored varying the efficacy measure or choices of subsequent treatments and limiting discontinuation.

RESULTS

The CPR for deucravacitinib versus apremilast was lower at 16 weeks (difference: -$3796 [95% confidence interval (CI): -$6140 to -$1659]) and 24 weeks (difference: -$12,784 [95% CI: -$16,674 to -$9369]). At 52 weeks, the cost per cumulative benefit was lower for patients who initiated deucravacitinib, regardless of initial treatment period duration (16 or 24 weeks).

CONCLUSIONS

Scenario analyses found mainly consistent results. This study showed that the CPR is lower when initiating deucravacitinib versus apremilast in moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

A Review of the Efficacy and Safety for Biologic Agents Targeting IL-23 in Treating Psoriasis With the Focus on Tildrakizumab

Psoriasis is a chronic and debilitating inflammatory immune-mediated skin disorder. Several cytokines including interleukin (IL)-23 were demonstrated to play a central role in the pathogenesis of this disease. Treatment options for psoriasis range from topical to systemic modalities, depending on the extent, anatomical locations involved and functional impairment level. Targeting cytokines or their cognate receptors that are involved in disease pathogenesis such as IL-12/23 (i.e., targeting the IL-12p40 subunit shared by these cytokines), IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-17RA, and TNF-α using biologic agents emerged in recent years as a highly effective therapeutic option for patients with moderate-to-severe disease. This review provides an overview of the important role of IL-23 signaling in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. We describe in detail the available IL-23 inhibitors for chronic plaque psoriasis. The efficacy, pharmacokinetic properties, and the safety profile of one of the most recent IL-23 biologic agents (tildrakizumab) are evaluated and reviewed in depth.