Episode Highlights
0:50 - Can you tell me more about guselkumab and how it is used to treat patients with psoriatic arthritis?
3:32 - What were the study designs and methods used in developing the DISCOVER-1 and DISCOVER-2 trials?
5:43 - What were the primary (and any secondary) endpoints evaluated in these trials?
7:00 - What were the results regarding efficacy, safety, and patient-reported outcomes that were presented at the ACR?
9:23 - What does this clinical research mean for both rheumatologists and their patients?
12:07 - Is there anything else you'd like our audience to know about guselkumab or Janssen before we wrap up?
On this month’s episode of Overdrive, we spoke with Soumya D. Chakravarty, MD, PhD, to discuss the growing body of clinical evidence evaluating joint efficacy, safety, and patient-reported outcomes in patients with psoriatic arthritis receiving guselkumab.
Read a preview of the transcription below:
Rheumatology Network: Can you tell me more about guselkumab and how it is used to treat patients with active psoriatic arthritis?
Soumya Chakravarty, MD, PhD: At Janssen, we're very proud of the history and legacy with respect to the data that we have. And guselkumab (TREMFYA) is the first IL-23 inhibitor that's been approved in the US to treat both adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who were candidates for photo therapy or systemic therapy and adults with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA). And we have, as I mentioned, been accruing a large body of clinical evidence for compliance efficacy. That's really something that we're excited about because it translates into impact for patients and their providers. This is inclusive of 2 years of joint efficacy and safety data that we have with respect to active psoriatic arthritis. This is as a result of 2 phase 3 clinical trials that we've had with respect to durable response rates. We've actually seen that through both 2 years in active psoriatic arthritis, but also through 4 years in psoriasis, and that's based on the open label extension from the VOYAGE 1. Importantly, as well, from a safety perspective, we now have data through 2 years in active psoriatic arthritis, as well as to 5 years in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, where you see a very consistent safety profile across locations.
One additional point that I want to add with respect to guselkumab, is that it's the first therapy in psoriatic arthritis to have Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy – Fatigue (FACIT-F). So in other words, a measure of fatigue in label. Certainly, the first IL-23 inhibitor, but I think even more importantly, the first therapy for psoriatic arthritis to have that approval. And I think that's a very important aspect to keep in mind.
Overall, well-being is an important consideration when developing a treatment plan and psoriatic arthritis. And because there are a whole host of medications that are available to manage symptoms, understanding what treatment option is available for you that can address fatigue and allow for the patient to experience improvement in fatigue is of significant impact. That's something that both patients and their providers appreciate.
