Intravenous Biologic May Inhibit Radiographic Progression in PsA

Intravenous golimumab is effective in inhibiting radiographic progression of structural damage in active psoriatic arthritis (PsA), according to a new study.

To determine the drug’s efficacy, the researchers randomly assigned participants with active PsA to receive either intravenous placebo (n = 239) or intravenous golimumab, 2 mg/kg (n = 241), at weeks 0, 4, 12, and 20.

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Overall, 474 participants contributed radiographic data. The researchers evaluated the radiographic progression by measuring the change from baseline at week 24 in PsA-modified total Sharp/van der Heijde scores.

Compared with placebo, intravenous golimumab showed significant inhibition of radiographic progression relative to placebo from baseline to week 24 (mean changes in PsA-modified total Sharp/van der Heijde scores: –0.36 vs 1.95).

Fewer participants in the golimumab group had a total PsA-modified Sharp/van der Heijde score exceeding the smallest detectable change (8.0% vs 27.0%), more than 0 (28.3% vs 57.0%), or 0.5 (18.6% vs 41.8%).

“Results were consistent for erosion and joint space narrowing scores, in hands and feet, and in patients with/without baseline concomitant methotrexate use,” the researchers concluded. “Prevention of radiographic progression by GOL was independent of clinical response.”

—Colleen Murphy

Reference:

Kavanaugh A, Husni ME, Harrison DD, et al. Radiographic progression inhibition with intravenous golimumab in psoriatic arthritis: week 24 results of a phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial [published online February 1, 2019]. J Rheumatol. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.180681.