Switching infliximab biosimilars safe in treating chronic plaque psoriasis

Patients who switched between 2 different biosimilar infliximab products during treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis did not experience adverse events or change in severity [1]. In the study, 24 patients with psoriasis (12 of whom also had psoriatic arthritis) were switched from one infliximab biosimilar, CT-P13, to another, SB2. The patients, who had a previous exposure to CT-P13 of 23.2 (± 7.51) months, were then followed for 6 months after switching. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores were measured at the time of the switch and at months 2, 4, and 6.

The investigators found that PASI scores at each measurement were substantially unchanged; mean scores at the time of the switch and at months 2, 4, and 6 were 0.67 (±1.38), 0.76 (±1.08), 0.71 (±0.93), and 0.42 (±0.62), respectively. In terms of adverse events (AEs), 2 infusion-related reactions, and 2 upper respiratory bacterial infections were observed in total. Despite the limited sample size and length of follow-up, the switch between the biosimilars, according to the researchers, was not associated with a statistically significant change in PASI score or with increased AEs.

Switching among multiple products is increasingly common in countries where single-winner tenders for biosimilars are undertaken and in which patients may be asked to transition among products regularly based on the winner of the tender. However, little data is available concerning switches among multiple biosimilars of the same reference rather than between 1 biosimilar and its reference. Thus, the data from this present study marks a contribution to the literature and may provide reassurance to prescribers who have concerns about the safety and efficacy of switching among multiple biosimilars.

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   1. Gisondi P, Virga C, Girolomoni G. P049, SPIN 2019, 25-27 April, Paris, France.

Posted on 21 June 201924 March 2021