For adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, mirikizumab is efficacious and safe over 52 weeks, according to a study published in the December issue of the British Journal of Dermatology .

Andrew Blauvelt, M.D., from the Oregon Medical Research Center in Portland, and colleagues examined the efficacy and safety of mirikizumab in adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis through 52 weeks. A total of 530 patients were randomly assigned to subcutaneous mirikizumab 250 mg or placebo every four weeks (Q4W) in a 4:1 ratio through week 16. Responders were randomly reassigned to mirikizumab 250 mg Q8W, mirikizumab 125 mg Q8W, or placebo Q8W through 52 weeks.

The researchers found that all primary and key secondary end points were met. Static Physician's Global Assessment score of 0 or 1 (sPGA[0,1]) responses were significantly greater with mirikizumab than placebo (69.3 versus 6.5 percent) at week 16. A ≥90 percent improvement in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 90) response occurred in significantly more patients receiving mirikizumab versus placebo (64.3 versus 6.5 percent). In addition, significantly more patients receiving mirikizumab than those receiving placebo achieved PASI 75 and PASI 100 (82.5 and 32.4 versus 9.3 and 0.9 percent, respectively). At week 52, PASI 90, PASI 100, and sPGA(0,1), respectively, occurred in 19, 10, and 18 percent of those receiving mirikizumab 250 mg Q4W/placebo Q8W; 86, 59, and 86 percent of those receiving mirikizumab 250 mg Q4W/125 mg Q8W; and 86, 60, and 82 percent of those receiving mirikizumab 250 mg Q4W/250 mg Q8W.

"Following an induction dose of 250 mg every four weeks, maintenance doses of 125 mg or 250 mg every eight weeks from week 16 to week 52 were comparable in maintaining efficacy," the authors write.

Several authors disclosed financial ties to pharmaceutical companies, including Eli Lilly, which is developing mirikizumab and supported the study.

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