Brodalumab in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis – the latest reports

Dear Editor,
The quest to find an optimal and effective treatment for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is expanding research to new molecules and inhibiting further pathways in the pathogenesis of inflammation in PsA. In this report, I would like to draw your attention to brodalumab, a fully human IgG2 monoclonal antibody, which binds to human interleukin 17RA. Binding of this interleukin leads to blockade of the biological activity of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-17A, IL-17F, the heterodi­mer IL-17A/F, IL-17C and IL-17E [1]. It is worth being aware that IL-17A, IL-17F and the IL-17A/F heterodi­mer have a multidirectional effect; they induce pro-inflammatory mediators such as IL-6, GRO and G-CSF from epithelial cells and fibroblasts, which affect the ongoing state of inflammatory tissues [2]. Brodalumab is used to treat mode­rate to severe plaque psoriasis (USA, Canada). Currently, brodalumab is also used to treat PsA but only in Japan [3].
It is worth emphasizing that brodalumab was effective in phase II clinical trials in PsA patients. Brodalumab has been used in a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial. In this clinical trial, doses of 140 mg and 280 mg of brodalumab were administered once weekly for 12 weeks. Administration of brodalumab was associated with a significantly better clinical response compared to placebo (American College of Rheumatology 20 [ACR20] as the primary endpoint) [4]. The encouraging results of the second phase trials have prompted clinicians to conduct larger clinical trials. It is worth getting acquainted with the latest phase III study, the results of which were published at the end of October 2020.
What are the results of phase III trials of brodalu­mab in PsA? AMVISION-1 and AMVISION-2 trials At the end of October 2020, the results of phase III clinical trials on the use of brodalumab in PsA were published [5]. These were double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled studies. The studies involved adult patients with active PsA who had been ill for at least 6 months. These patients did not tolerate traditional treatment or the treatment was insufficient. Additional inclusion criteria were having at least three painful and three swollen joints as well as active psoriatic lesions on the skin.
Patients (both in AMVISION-1 and AMVISION-2) were divided into three groups in a 1 : 1 : 1 ratio and received subcutaneous brodalumab 140 mg, brodalumab 210 mg and placebo, respectively [5]. This intervention was performed at week 0 and week 1, and then every two weeks until week 24. It should be noted that the primary endpoint was achievement of ACR20 at week 16 of treatment. At week 16, it was noted that the primary endpoint was achieved by 45.8% of patients in the brodalumab 140 mg group, 47.9% of patients in the brodalumab 210 mg group and 20.9% of patients in the placebo group. It should be noted that similar results were noted at week 24 of this study. Patients receiving brodalumab achieved a greater percentage of ACR 50/70 compared to placebo. Moreover, patients receiving brodalumab had greater improvements in symptoms such as dactylitis and enthesitis. The study summary demonstrated that brodalumab had a good safety profile and the rate of serious adverse events was low [5].

Brodalumab compared with other biologic therapies for psoriasis

In the context of the effectiveness of brodalumab in PsA treatment, it is worth analyzing the previous studies on the efficacy of brodalumab in comparison to other biological therapies used in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis. The effectiveness of individual biological drugs was compared based on the results in the PASI scale (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index).
The most effective preparations turned out to be brodalumab and ixekizumab. Brodalumab was used at a dose of 210 mg every two weeks, and ixekizumab at a dose of 80 mg, also every two weeks. Brodalu­mab at a dose of 210 mg was significantly more effective than drugs such as adalimumab (40 mg every two weeks), apremilast (30 mg twice daily), brodalumab 140 mg administered every 2 weeks, etanercept (50 mg weekly), infliximab (5 mg/kg), secukinumab (300 mg) and ustekinumab (45 mg or 90 mg – the dose depended on body weight). Brodalumab was more effective in PASI 100, 90, 75 and 50 scores. Studies have shown that 210 mg brodalumab administered every two weeks is more effective in treating moderate to severe psoriasis than other typical biological therapies [6, 7]. Moreover, comparative studies are needed regarding the efficacy of brodalumab and other biological therapies in treating PsA.
In conclusion, brodalumab is already used successfully in plaque psoriasis, making it a good therapeutic option for patients with both skin and joint symptoms [8]. Its action is therefore multidirectional – it improves the clinical condition of the skin, joints and tendon attachments. Certainly, there will be more clinical trials with brodalumab in the future, as it is a promising the­rapeutic option for patients with psoriatic arthritis. It is worth monitoring the progress of clinical trials on brodalumab, as this drug offers hope for effective treatment of both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Brodalumab, as a multi-directional drug, can find a place in dermatolo­gical and rheumatological therapy. The author declares no conflict of interest.

References