Summer 2018 | Live Blog | Product Theater | Tremfya: A Selective IL-23 Inhibitor with Pivotal Studies vs. Adalimunab

For the first product theater of the SDPA Annual Summer Conference, Cynthia Trickett, PA-C, reviewed Tremfya. Ms. Trickett specializes in the treatment of patients with psoriatic disease and discussed Tremfya as a first line therapy medication for patients 18 years or older with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. As Ms. Trickett stated, “psoriasis affects and invades the entire life of a patient with this condition”. Psoriasis is a chronic, painful autoimmune disease that affects millions of Americans. The majority of patients with psoriasis are dissatisfied with current treatment options for their condition. The National Psoriasis Foundation has discovered 10% of patients affected by severe psoriasis aren’t currently receiving treatment for their condition, revealing the need for new treatments.

Tremfya is a selective IL-23 Inhibitor in a single dose subcutaneous injection medication and is an effective treatment for psoriasis with a demonstrated safety profile. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), is the most widely used tool for measurement of psoriasis. At 16 weeks, or 3 doses of Tremfya, 73% of patients achieve a PASI of 90. Studies showed that patients who utilize Tremfya, have shown therapeutic longevity with 9/10 patients maintaining clearance if they reach a PASI 90 score.

Tremfya has shown superiority over Humira for the treatment of psoriasis. For example, 73% of patients who are treated with Tremfya reached a PASI 90 at week 16 vs 41% of Humira patients. Furthermore, unlike some other treatment options for patients with psoriasis, patients who use Tremfya achieve clearance independent of weight.

Tremfya may increase the rate of infection with a less than 0.2% rate of serious infections. It is recommended that patients who initiate treatment with Tremfya have a TB screening. Additionally, patients who undergo treatment with Tremfya should avoid live vaccines. Common reactions include upper respiratory infections and injection site reactions. Lastly, the first dose of Tremfya is provided by Janssen Biotech to patients.