Effectiveness and Safety of Guselkumab for the Treatment of Psoriasis in Real-World Settings at 52 weeks: A Retrospective, Observational, Multicenter Study from China

BACKGROUND: Real-life studies evaluating the long-term efficacy of guselkumab in moderate-to-severe psoriasis in China are limited and not available. METHODS: In this real-life study, we retrospectively examined a total of 27 patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis treated with guselkumab [100 mg, subcutaneous (s.c.)] with a follow-up period of at least 52 weeks in a real-life setting conducted at the Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University and Department of Psoriasis, Dalian Dermatosis Hospital. The primary endpoint of the study was long-term effectiveness [reduction of Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score, improvement of Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI)], safety, and tolerability of guselkumab. RESULTS: Guselkumab treatment decreased the mean PASI score from 12.46 ± 6.34 at baseline to 4.03 ± 3.25 (P < 0.001) and 0.77 ± 1.25 (P < 0.001) at 12 and 52 weeks. At 12 weeks, PASI 75, 90, and 100 response was achieved in 44.4%, 18.5%, and 11.1% of patients, respectively. At 1 year, PASI 75, 90, and 100 response was achieved in 88%, 72%, and 48% of patients, respectively. At 52 weeks, 96% of patients achieved a PASI score of ≤ 3 and 80% of patients achieved DLQI (0/1). No patients withdrewed from the study due to primary or secondary ineffectiveness or failure to adhere to the medication. During the follow-up period, only two adverse events were reported (tinea capitis and diarrhea). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm that guselkumab is an appropriate therapeutic option in routine clinical practice, particularly when treating sophisticated patients with comorbidities or who failed to previous biologic therapy.