Long-term safety of certolizumab pegol in plaque psoriasis: pooled analysis over 3 years from three phase III, randomized, placebo-controlled studies

Summary of certolizumab pegol in psoriasis including structural features, pharmacokinetics and treatment

Psoriasis pathogenesis involves TNF-α, IL-23 and IL17, against which biologics have been highly effective. Among the five TNF-α inhibitors available for psoriasis, namely infliximab, adalimumab, etanercept, golimumab and certolizumab pegol (CZP), CZP has a unique mechanism of action due to its structure. As CZP lacks the Fc region, it does not cross the placenta and can be safely used in pregnant women. Its PEGylated nature allows for longer distribution time in tissues, potentially leading to a longer-lasting effect compared with other TNF-α inhibitors. In clinical trials, the efficacy of CZP on psoriasis skin symptoms and joint symptoms was comparable to other TNF-α inhibitors, with no discernible differences in safety profiles.

A quantitative systems pharmacology model for certolizumab pegol treatment in moderate-to-severe psoriasis

Background

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory systemic disease with skin manifestations characterized by erythematous, scaly, itchy and/or painful plaques resulting from hyperproliferation of keratinocytes. Certolizumab pegol [CZP], a PEGylated antigen binding fragment of a humanized monoclonal antibody against TNF-alpha, is approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Patients with psoriasis present clinical and molecular variability, affecting response to treatment. Herein, we utilized an in silico approach to model the effects of CZP in a virtual population (vPop) with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Our proof-of-concept study aims to assess the performance of our model in generating a vPop and defining CZP response variability based on patient profiles.

Methods

We built a quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) model of a clinical trial-like vPop with moderate-to-severe psoriasis treated with two dosing schemes of CZP (200 mg and 400 mg, both every two weeks for 16 weeks, starting with a loading dose of CZP 400 mg at weeks 0, 2, and 4). We applied different modelling approaches: (i) an algorithm to generate vPop according to reference population values and comorbidity frequencies in real-world populations; (ii) physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models of CZP dosing schemes in each virtual patient; and (iii) systems biology-based models of the mechanism of action (MoA) of the drug.

Results

The combination of our different modelling approaches yielded a vPop distribution and a PBPK model that aligned with existing literature. Our systems biology and QSP models reproduced known biological and clinical activity, presenting outcomes correlating with clinical efficacy measures. We identified distinct clusters of virtual patients based on their psoriasis-related protein predicted activity when treated with CZP, which could help unravel differences in drug efficacy in diverse subpopulations. Moreover, our models revealed clusters of MoA solutions irrespective of the dosing regimen employed.

Conclusion

Our study provided patient specific QSP models that reproduced clinical and molecular efficacy features, supporting the use of computational methods as modelling strategy to explore drug response variability. This might shed light on the differences in drug efficacy in diverse subpopulations, especially useful in complex diseases such as psoriasis, through the generation of mechanistically based hypotheses.

Biomarkers and biologics related with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

Over the past half century, psoriasis is considered as an immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease with the combined hallmarks of autoimmunity and autoinflammation, according to growing volumes of clinical and experimental findings. There is currently no cure for psoriasis, current treatment strategies focus on symptom control, disease minimization, and patient's quality of life enhancement. To meet these challenges, it keeps imperative to discover potential biomarkers, so that not only can they be used for the prediction and monitoring of psoriasis disease in clinic, but also can provide novel therapeutic targets or treatment strategies for psoriasis sufferers. This review systematically demonstrates the research progress of psoriasis-related biomarkers and elaborates their related mechanisms in the pathological development of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. In addition, we summarize the development of biologic therapies for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in order to drive the broader discussion of psoriasis as an autoimmune-mediated inflammatory skin disease.

Long-Term Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Plaque Psoriasis Treated with Certolizumab Pegol: Three-Year Results from Two Randomised Phase 3 Studies (CIMPASI-1 and CIMPASI-2)

INTRODUCTION

Certolizumab pegol (CZP) is an Fc-free, PEGylated, anti-tumour necrosis factor biologic. Safety and efficacy data for CZP over 3 years have been previously reported. We report 3-year quality of life (QoL) outcomes for patients treated with CZP, pooled from two phase 3 trials.

METHODS

Adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis for ≥ 6 months were initially randomised 1:2:2 to double-blinded placebo every 2 weeks (Q2W), CZP 200 mg Q2W (loading dose of CZP 400 mg at weeks 0/2/4) or CZP 400 mg Q2W. All patients received open-label CZP (200 mg or 400 mg Q2W) from week 48. Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), EuroQol 5-Dimensions 3-Level (EQ-5D-3L) and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) scores are reported as observed.

RESULTS

At week 0, 100 patients were randomised to placebo, 186 to CZP 200 mg Q2W and 175 to CZP 400 mg Q2W. For CZP-randomised patients, 60.9% had a DLQI score of 0 or 1 by week 48. Both the physical and mental component scores of SF-36 also improved from baseline to week 48 (mean change from baseline: 4.4 and 5.4, respectively). The proportion of patients with a score of 1 in the EQ-5D-3L Pain/Discomfort dimension increased (week 0, 21.1%; week 48, 66.2%), and WPAI Presenteeism, Work Impairment, and Activity Impairment improved from baseline to week 48, with the strongest gains observed for Activity Impairment (week 0, 33.3% of time impaired; week 48, 6.7%). Across patient-reported outcomes, gains were sustained through week 144, with durable improvements observed regardless of sex, psoriatic arthritis status or prior exposure to biologics.

CONCLUSION

CZP treatment was associated with sustained and tangible improvements in health-related QoL (DLQI and SF-36), health status (EQ-5D-3L) and functional impairment at work and in other daily activities (WPAI).

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02326298 (CIMPASI-1) and NCT02326272 (CIMPASI-2).

Deucravacitinib in moderate-to-severe psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects up to 1 in 20 people worldwide. A patient's quality of life and health can be drastically affected by psoriasis. The number of therapies for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis has steadily grown over the past two decades, with biologic immunotherapies being the primary agents developed. However, new small-molecule oral therapies have lagged in development. Deucravacitinib is an oral small molecule that inhibits the activity of TYK2, a member of the JAK family. Deucravacitinib works by allosterically inhibiting TYK2, increasing the specificity of this agent for TYK2 rather than other members of this kinase family. Deucravacitinib has demonstrated safety and efficacy in moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in clinical trial development, with >50% of patients on deucravacitinib 6 mg daily achieving ≥75% reduction in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score from baseline at 16 weeks versus 9–13% on placebo and 35–41% on apremilast 30 mg twice daily in phase III clinical trials.

Efficacy and Safety of Certolizumab Pegol in Japanese Patients with Generalized Pustular Psoriasis and Erythrodermic Psoriasis: 52-Week Results

Introduction

We report an exploratory analysis of the efficacy and safety of certolizumab pegol (CZP) in Japanese patients with generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) and erythrodermic psoriasis (EP) (NCT03051217).

Methods

Patients ≥ 20 years with GPP or EP were randomized 1:1 to open-label CZP 400 mg every 2 weeks (Q2W) or 200 mg Q2W (400 mg weeks 0/2/4) for 16 weeks; patients who achieved “much improved” or “very much improved” on the Global Improvement Score (GIS; for GPP) or a PASI 50 response (≥ 50% reduction from baseline Psoriasis Area and Severity Index; for EP) continued to week 52. Efficacy outcomes assessed included Clinical Global Impression of Improvement (CGI-I), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI 0/1), and Itch Numeric Rating Scale (INRS 0). GIS and Japanese Dermatological Association (JDA) severity index were assessed in patients with GPP, and PASI and Physician’s Global Assessment (PGA) in patients with EP. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were evaluated through weeks 0–52.

Results

Of 22 patients randomized, 19 completed week 52. At week 16, all reported outcomes improved with both CZP doses and were generally maintained through week 52. At week 52, 6/7 GPP and 12/12 EP patients achieved CGI-I response (“improved” or “remission”). Also, 4/7 GPP and 7/12 EP patients achieved DLQI 0/1; 2/7 GPP and 2/12 EP patients achieved INRS 0. Meanwhile, 6/7 patients with GPP achieved GIS response, and JDA severity index was reduced from baseline. We found that 9/12 and 5/12 patients with EP achieved PASI 90 and PGA 0/1, respectively. Overall, three serious TEAEs were reported in three CZP 400 mg Q2W-treated patients.

Conclusion

CZP treatment over 16 weeks improved the signs and symptoms of GPP and EP, and improvements were maintained through week 52. No new safety signals were identified.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT03051217.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13555-022-00741-x.

COVID-19 and the Use of Immunomodulatory Agents in Ophthalmology

Immunomodulatory agents are often used in the systemic treatment of non-infectious uveitis. These drugs consist of corticosteroids, conventional immunosuppressives, and biological agents. As it is known that they suppress the immune system, the most important concern associated with immunomodulatory therapy (IMT) is the increased risk of infection. The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic on 11 March 2020. Although severe acute respiratory distress syndrome secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection may develop in all people, patients who receive IMT may be at higher risk in terms of both the transmission of the infection and more severe disease course. Therefore, guidelines on the management of patients receiving IMT due to uveitis during the pandemic are needed. In this review, we examined the immunomodulatory drugs used in the treatment of uveitis in terms of infectious complications and the data of patients who received IMT during the COVID-19 pandemic and discussed recommendations for the use of these drugs. According to the latest information, patients who receive IMT may continue their treatment as long as there are no disruptions in regular complete blood count (especially white blood cell count >4,000/μL) and liver and kidney function tests. Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 should be managed with a multidisciplinary approach.

Three-year efficacy and safety of certolizumab pegol for the treatment of plaque psoriasis: results from the randomized phase 3 CIMPACT trial

Background

Certolizumab pegol (CZP) is an Fc‐free, PEGylated anti‐tumor necrosis factor biologic.

Objectives

To report 3‐year outcomes from the CIMPACT (NCT02346240) phase 3, CZP in moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, randomized controlled trial.

Methods

Adults were randomized 3:3:3:1 to CZP 200 mg every other week (Q2W), CZP 400 mg Q2W, etanercept biweekly or placebo. At Week 16, CZP‐ and etanercept‐treated PASI 75 responders were re‐randomized to CZP 200 mg Q2W, CZP 400 mg Q4W, CZP 400 mg Q2W or placebo for maintenance treatment; PASI 75 non‐responders entered an open‐label escape CZP 400 mg Q2W arm. Patients entering the open‐label extension (OLE; Weeks 48–144) from blinded treatment received CZP 200 mg Q2W.

Results

Double‐blinded results have been reported previously. 261 patients received 200 mg Q2W upon OLE entry. PASI 75 response was maintained in patients continuing 200 mg Q2W treatment through Weeks 16–144 (Week 144: 96.2%). In patients dosed down at Week 48 (double‐blinded 400 mg to 200 mg Q2W), PASI 75 decreased (Week 48: 98.7%; Week 144: 85.9%). In patients who received placebo through Weeks 16–48, PASI 75 response decreased (Week 48: 60.4%), then increased following Week 48 switch to 200 mg Q2W (Week 144: 95.1%). 48 and 36 patients initially randomized to 200 and 400 mg Q2W, respectively, were Week 16 PASI 75 non‐responders and entered the escape arm; at Week 144, 71.8% and 78.2% achieved PASI 75. No new safety signals were identified.

Conclusions

Response to CZP was durable over three years; no new safety signals were identified.

Efficacy and Safety of Certolizumab Pegol in Japanese Patients with Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis: 52-Week Results

Introduction

Certolizumab pegol (CZP), an Fc-free, PEGylated anti-tumour necrosis factor biologic, dosed at 400 mg every 2 weeks (Q2W) and 200 mg Q2W over 16 weeks, resulted in improvements in Japanese patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (PSO); no new safety signals were identified. We present 52-week efficacy and safety results.

Methods

Patients ≥ 20 years with PSO ≥ 6 months [Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) ≥ 12, body surface area ≥ 10%, Physician’s Global Assessment (PGA) ≥ 3] were randomised 1:2:2 to placebo Q2W, CZP 400 mg Q2W and CZP 200 mg Q2W (400 mg weeks 0/2/4) for 16 weeks. Week 16 PASI 50 responders continued through week 52; CZP 200 mg Q2W-randomised patients were re-randomised 1:1 to CZP 200 mg Q2W or CZP 400 mg Q4W; patients initially randomised to other treatment groups continued in the same group. Outcomes included PASI 75/90/100, PGA 0/1, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) 0/1, Itch Numeric Rating Scale (INRS) 0, modified Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (mNAPSI), durability of response for week 16 PASI 75/90 responders, and safety.

Results

Of 26/53/48 patients randomised to placebo, CZP 400 mg Q2W and CZP 200 mg Q2W, 2/47/39 completed week 52, respectively. PASI 75/90 responses were generally maintained from weeks 16 to 52 for all CZP doses. Most week 16 PASI 75/90 achievers maintained their response through week 52. PASI 75/90/100 responses at week 52 in the CZP 400 mg Q2W and CZP 200 mg Q2W groups were 83.0/81.1/41.5% and 72.9/60.4/18.8%, respectively; DLQI/INRS remission rates were 64.2/50.9% in CZP 400 mg Q2W and 58.3/27.1% in CZP 200 mg Q2W-treated patients. Reductions in mNAPSI observed for CZP-treated groups were maintained through week 52. No new safety signals were identified.

Conclusion

CZP treatment resulted in improvements in signs and symptoms of PSO, which were maintained through week 52. The 400 mg Q2W dose could provide additional clinical benefit.

Trial Registration

NCT03051217.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13555-021-00520-0.

Safety and Efficacy of Vaccines during COVID-19 Pandemic in Patients Treated with Biological Drugs in a Dermatological Setting

The BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 vaccines, consisting of mRNA, have recently become available. The absolute novelty of these vaccines introduces questions about their safety and efficacy, especially in patients who are treated with biological drugs in dermatology. The aim of our review was to provide a broad overview of the current use of all available vaccinations in concomitance with biological therapy and to suggest indications for the new mRNA Covid-19 vaccines. We conducted a narrative review of the literature regarding the indications and safety of the various types of vaccines currently available in dermatological patients treated with biological therapy. The safety and efficacy of administering inactivated vaccines in patients undergoing biological therapy with inhibitors of TNF-α, IL-17, IL-12/23, and IL-4/13 was confirmed. Inactivated vaccines can be administered during therapy with inhibitors of IL-23 and IgE, taking into account that the level of evidence is lower due to the lack of specific studies. Live attenuated vaccines were contraindicated in concomitance with all biological therapies considered, except omalizumab. According to this evidence, we assume that there are currently no contraindications to the administration of the new Covid-19 BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 vaccines during biological therapy with inhibitors of TNF-α, IL-17, IL-12/23, IL-23, and IL-4/13, since these vaccines are comparable to inactivated ones. For patients with chronic urticaria or allergic asthma treated with omalizumab, we currently recommend caution in using the mRNA Covid-19 vaccines (30 min observation). The only contraindications were a previous history of hypersensitivity to the Covid-19 vaccines themself or to their excipients. In conclusion, further randomized clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of the antibody response in these patients.

Certolizumab Pegol: A Review in Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis

Certolizumab pegol (Cimzia^®) is a PEGylated, Fab'-only, recombinant humanized antibody against TNF-α. Subcutaneous certolizumab pegol is indicated for the treatment of various immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), including moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. In pivotal phase III trials in adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, significantly more patients receiving certolizumab pegol 200 mg or 400 mg once every 2 weeks than placebo recipients achieved a ≥ 75% reduction in PASI score (PASI75 responder) and a PGA score of clear/mostly clear with a ≥ 2 point improvement from baseline (PGA0/1 responder) at week 12 (CIMPACT) or 16 (CIMPASI-1 and -2). In CIMPACT, certolizumab pegol 400 mg once every 2 weeks was superior to etanercept (highest recommended dosage) at 12 weeks, with certolizumab pegol 200 mg once every 2 weeks demonstrating non-inferiority, but not superiority, to etanercept. The clinical benefits of certolizumab pegol were maintained during the maintenance phase (to week 48) and the open-label extension phase of these trials. Certolizumab pegol is unique among the biologics, with the absence of an Fc fragment conferring pharmacokinetic advantages; most notably, its minimal transfer across the placenta, and low relative infant dose during breastfeeding in conjunction with its low oral bioavailability. Certolizumab pegol was generally well tolerated and no new safety signals were identified in these phase III trials, which complements its established safety profile in other IMIDs. Certolizumab pegol is a useful option for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and provides an important treatment option for women of childbearing age, for whom there are limited options available.

Immunogenicity to biological drugs in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

Monoclonal antibodies or fusion proteins, defined as biological drugs, have modified the natural history of numerous immune-mediated disorders, allowing the development of therapies aimed at blocking the pathophysiological pathways of the disease, providing greater efficacy and safety than conventional treatment strategies. Virtually all therapeutic proteins elicit an immune response, producing anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) against hypervariable regions of immunoglobulins. Immunogenicity against biological drugs can alter their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, thereby reducing the efficacy of these drugs. In more severe cases, ADAs can neutralize the therapeutic effects of the drug or cause serious adverse effects, mainly hypersensitivity reactions. The prevalence of ADAs varies widely depending on the type of test used, occurrence of false-negative results, and non-specific binding to the drug, making it difficult to accurately assess their clinical impact. Concomitant use of immunosuppressors efficiently reduces the immunogenicity in a dose-dependent manner, either by decreasing the frequency of detectable ADAs or by delaying their appearance, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of biological therapies. Among the new therapeutic strategies for the management of psoriasis, biological agents have gained increasing importance in recent years as they interrupt key inflammation pathways involved in the physiopathology of the disease. Reports regarding ADA in new biologics are still scarce, but the most recent evidence tends to show little impact on the clinical response to the drug, even with prolonged treatment. It is therefore essential to standardize laboratory tests to determine the presence and titles of ADAs to establish their administration and management guidelines that allow the determination of the real clinical impact of these drugs.

Long-term efficacy of certolizumab pegol for the treatment of plaque psoriasis: 3-year results from two randomized phase III trials (CIMPASI-1 and CIMPASI-2)

Background

Certolizumab pegol (CZP) is an Fc‐free, PEGylated anti‐tumour necrosis factor biologic.

Objectives

To report the 3‐year efficacy of CZP in plaque psoriasis, pooled from the CIMPASI‐1 (NCT02326298) and CIMPASI‐2 (NCT02326272) phase III trials.

Methods

Adults with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis for ≥ 6 months were randomized 2 : 2 : 1 to CZP 200 mg, CZP 400 mg or placebo, every 2 weeks (Q2W) for up to 48 weeks. Patients entering the open‐label period (weeks 48–144) from double‐blinded CZP initially received CZP 200 mg Q2W. Patients not achieving ≥ 50% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 50) at week 16 entered an open‐label CZP 400 mg Q2W escape arm (weeks 16–144). Dose adjustments based on PASI response were permitted during open‐label treatment. Outcomes included PASI 75, PASI 90 and Physician’s Global Assessment (PGA) 0/1 responder rates, based on a logistic regression model (missing data imputed using Markov Chain Monte Carlo methodology).

Results

In total, 186 patients were randomized to CZP 200 mg Q2W and 175 to CZP 400 mg Q2W. At week 48, PASI 75/90 was achieved by 72·7%/51·3% of patients randomized to CZP 200 mg and 84·4%/62·7% randomized to CZP 400 mg. Patients entering the open‐label period at week 48, from blinded treatment, received CZP 200 mg Q2W. At week 144, PASI 75/90 was achieved by 70·6%/48·7% patients randomized to CZP 200 mg and 72·9%/42·7% randomized to CZP 400 mg. At week 16, 72 placebo‐randomized patients entered the CZP 400 mg Q2W escape arm; 75.7%/58.5% achieved PASI 75/90 at week 144.

Conclusions

Both CZP 200 mg and 400 mg Q2W demonstrated sustained, durable efficacy, with numerically higher responses for some outcomes with 400 mg Q2W.

What is already known about this topic?

Certolizumab pegol is an Fc‐free, PEGylated, anti‐tumour necrosis factor biologic approved for adults with moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis.

Efficacy data from the first 48 weeks of phase III trials have shown significant improvements in the signs and symptoms of psoriasis with certolizumab pegol dosed at either 400 mg or 200 mg every 2 weeks.

Numerically greater improvements were observed for patients treated with the higher dose.

What does this study add?

Plaque psoriasis is a chronic, systemic disease that requires long‐term management and sustained efficacy of therapies.

Three‐year efficacy data pooled from the CIMPASI‐1 and CIMPASI‐2 phase III trials demonstrate a sustained and durable response to certolizumab pegol dosed at either 400 mg or 200 mg every 2 weeks.

Additional long‐term clinical benefits may be obtained from the higher dose.

Linked Comment: Johnson et al. Br J Dermatol 2021; 184:588–589.