Long-Term Infliximab Treatment in Psoriasis Patients: A National Multicentre Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND: Although infliximab (IFX) has been available since 2005, there are very little data on the long-term drug survival of infliximab in real-life. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to identify and describe psoriasis patients treated with IFX for longer than 6 years. METHODS: Psoriasis patients treated with IFX for longer than 6 years were retrospectively included. Demographic and clinical data were collected in May 2018. RESULTS: Between January 2005 and December 2012, 43 patients were maintained on IFX for 6 years or longer. IFX was introduced as a 4.5 line of systemic therapy. The mean duration of IFX treatment was 8.5 years (6–12). In May 2018, 30 patients (70%) were still maintained on IFX at 4–6 mg/kg every 8–10 weeks with an efficiency of about 100%. IFX was stopped in 13 patients (30%) mainly for loss of efficacy in 6 patients (46%). Three patients developed solid cancer including bladder cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer. Limitation. Retrospective study. CONCLUSION: We report the efficacy and safety of IFX maintained for up to 12 years in psoriasis patients. The long-term use of IFX was associated with a high BMI confirming the critical role of weight-based dosing for this drug.