Certolizumab Pegol for the Treatment of Chronic Plaque Psoriasis: Results through 48 Weeks from Two Phase 3, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Studies (CIMPASI-1 and CIMPASI-2)

Publication date: Available online 13 April 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Author(s): Alice B. Gottlieb, Andrew Blauvelt, Diamant Thaçi, Craig L. Leonardi, Yves Poulin, Janice Drew, Luke Peterson, Catherine Arendt, Daniel Burge, Kristian Reich
BackgroundCertolizumab pegol, the only Fc-Free, PEGylated anti-tumor necrosis factor biologic, demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements and suggested a positive risk-benefit balance in phase 2 studies in adults with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis.ObjectiveAssess certolizumab efficacy and safety versus placebo in phase 3 studies.MethodsPatients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis were randomized 2:2:1 to certolizumab 400 mg, 200 mg, or placebo every 2 weeks. At Week 16, certolizumab-treated patients achieving 50% reduction in psoriasis area and severity index continued treatment through Week 48. Coprimary endpoints were Week 16 responder rates, defined as 75% reduction in psoriasis area and severity index and physician's global assessment 0/1 ('clear'/'almost clear' and ≥2-point improvement). Safety was assessed by treatment-emergent adverse events.ResultsWeek 16 endpoints were significantly greater for both doses of certolizumab versus placebo, and responses maintained through Week 48. For most measures, improvement was numerically greater for certolizumab 400 mg. No unexpected safety signals were identified.LimitationsNo active comparator.ConclusionsTreatment with either certolizumab 400 mg or 200 mg every 2 weeks was associated with significant, clinically meaningful improvements in moderate-to-severe psoriasis. The 400 mg dose may provide additional clinical benefit. The safety profile was consistent with the therapeutic class.

Teaser

Certolizumab pegol is an Fc-Free, PEGylated anti-tumor necrosis factor biologic. In these phase 3 psoriasis studies, certolizumab pegol 200 mg and 400 mg every 2 weeks demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements versus placebo; no new safety signals were observed. Certolizumab pegol affords additional psoriasis treatment options.