practicaldermatology.com
Switching patterns of biologics in psoriasis treatment revealed influences of gender and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), according to new research.
The retrospective study from the nationwide digital prescription database of Greece has shed light on biologic treatment trends for psoriasis between 2016 and 2020. The study included 6,772 biologic-naïve patients with psoriasis, with or without concurrent PsA.
Infliximab exhibited the highest switching rates, while secukinumab and ustekinumab showed the lowest, according to the study results. Additionally, secukinumab and brodalumab had the most favorable retention profiles, with the lowest rates of switch or re-initiation within 12 months. Common switching pathways were observed from secukinumab to brodalumab or ustekinumab and from adalimumab to secukinumab or ustekinumab.
Female patients and patients with concurrent PsA were at a higher risk for switching treatments. Therapies targeting interleukins, such as brodalumab, secukinumab, and ustekinumab, demonstrated lower switching rates compared to more traditional biologics like adalimumab. The researchers emphasized the importance of selecting long-term therapeutic options early in treatment.
"Concurrent PsA or gender may have a significant impact in outcome, thus they need to be considered before the launch of a selected therapy," they wrote.
Source: Lazaridou E, et al. Archives of Dermatological Research. 2025. Doi:10.1007/s00403-024-03746-y