The efficacy and safety of infliximab in patients with plaque psoriasis who had an inadequate response to etanercept: results of a prospective, multicenter, open-label study.

Background: In patients with psoriasis and inadequate response (IR) to tumor necrosis factor-α antagonist treatment, the incremental benefit of switching to another tumor necrosis factor-α antagonist is unknown.

Objective: We sought to evaluate the clinical response to an etanercept-to-infliximab switch in patients with psoriasis and IR to etanercept.

Methods: Adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and IR to etanercept (≥ 4 months) were eligible for this open-label study (called PSUNRISE). Patients had a Physician Global Assessment (PGA) score of at least 2 (mild) on a 5-point scale with etanercept, with or without concomitant oral systemic methotrexate or cyclosporine at baseline and during the study. Patients received intravenous infusions of infliximab 5 mg/kg at weeks 0, 2, 6, 14, and 22. PGA was used to evaluate efficacy at week 10 (primary end point) and week 26 (durability). Safety was evaluated through the end of the study.

Results: Of 215 patients, only 10 received concomitant immunomodulators. At week 10, 65.4% of patients (138 of 211; 95% confidence interval 58.6%-71.8%) achieved a PGA score of clear (0) or minimal (1) (primary end point). This response was durable through week 26, at which time 61.3% (122 of 199; 95% confidence interval 54.2%-68.1%) achieved a PGA score of clear (0) or minimal (1). There were no unexpected side effects or safety concerns.

Limitations: This was an open-label, 26-week study; an incremental change of 1 PGA point, even mild to minimal, was considered clinically significant, as most psoriasis practitioners seek to achieve minimal psoriasis or clear skin.

Conclusion: After switching to infliximab, a substantial proportion of patients with psoriasis and IR to etanercept experienced rapid and durable improvement.