Long-term efficacy and safety of bimekizumab in real-world setting: a 52-week prospective study

Bimekizumab, is the most recent monoclonal antibody licensed for the management of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, acting through the dual inhibition of interleukin (IL)-17 A and IL17F, setting it apart from other anti-IL17 biologics. To date, long-term data on the use of bimekizumab for the management of plaque psoriasis in a real-world setting are scant. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of bimekizumab in long-term. A monocentric prospective study enrolling patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis undergoing treatment with bimekizumab for plaque psoriasis and with a follow-up of at least one year was performed. At baseline, demographic and clinical data were collected. Clinical data were evaluated at each follow-up visit [week (W)16-36-52]. A total of 43 patients respected the inclusion and exclusion criteria. At baseline, mean PASI and DLQI were 17.4 +/- 8.3 and 24.1 +/- 5.3, respectively. A statistically significant improvement of both scores was reported since W16 (PASI: 0.8 +/- 1.4; DLQI: 0.9 +/- 1.5, p < 0.0001), continuing to improve up to W52 (PASI: 0.4 +/- 0.7; DLQI: 0.2 +/- 0.4, p < 0.0001 (Table 1), with 33 (76.7%) and 29 (67.4%) subjects reaching PASI90/100 response at W16, and 36 (83.7%) and 31 (72.1%) patients achieving these results at W52. Regarding safety data, 3 (7.0%) eczematous reaction and 4 (9.3%) candidiasis were collected, with 1 patient developing both events at the same time. A total of 6 (14.0%) patients interrupted treatment: 4 (9.3%) for adverse events and 2 (4.6%) for treatment failure, respectively. Our experience confirmed the effectiveness and safety of bimekizumab in real-life, also in long-term, suggesting this drug as a valuable in the therapeutic landscape of psoriatic disease.