Psoriasis is a chronic disease that requires long‐term treatment. Consequently, understanding the safety and tolerability of any potential treatment over time is critical to effective prescribing. The biologic agents currently available for the treatment of psoriasis target a number of different inflammatory cytokines involved in psoriasis disease pathogenesis. The monoclonal antibodies tildrakizumab, guselkumab and risankizumab target the p19 subunit that is specific to interleukin (IL)‐23. This article reviews published data on the safety of these IL‐23p19 inhibitors in patients with psoriasis compared with other currently available biologic therapies. Data from randomized, placebo‐ and active‐controlled phase 3 clinical trials show tildrakizumab, guselkumab and risankizumab to have a favourable risk–benefit profile in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. No significant safety concerns have been observed for any of these IL‐23p19 inhibitors in the data published to date. The most commonly reported adverse events (AEs) associated with these agents in phase 3 studies were upper respiratory tract infections. No increase was seen in rates of serious infections, malignancies or major adverse cardiovascular events, with no signals suggestive of an elevated risk of opportunistic infections, active tuberculosis or reactivation of latent tuberculosis infection, mucocutaneous Candida infections, triggering or worsening of inflammatory bowel disease, demyelinating disorders or suicidal ideation. Selectively targeting IL‐23p19 may help avoid AEs that have been associated with biologic agents with other mechanisms of action. Data from long‐term extension studies and patient registries will further establish the safety profile of IL‐23p19 inhibitors for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis in routine practice.
Background/Objectives
Glycopyrronium tosylate (GT) cloth, 2.4% is a topical anticholinergic approved in the United States for primary axillary hyperhidrosis in patients ≥9 years. This post hoc analysis evaluated long‐term response (efficacy and safety) in pediatric patients (≥9 to ≤16 years) to GT in the 44‐week, open‐label extension (NCT02553798) of two, phase 3, double‐blind, vehicle‐controlled, 4‐week trials (NCT02530281, NCT02530294).
Methods
In the double‐blind trials, patients ≥9 years with primary axillary hyperhidrosis were randomized 2:1 to once‐daily GT:vehicle. Those who completed the study could receive open‐label GT for up to an additional 44 weeks. Safety assessments included treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and local skin reactions (LSRs). Descriptive efficacy assessments included gravimetrically measured sweat production, Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale response (≥2‐grade improvement), and Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index.
Results
Of 43 pediatric patients completing either double‐blind trial, 38 (88.4%) entered the open‐label extension (age, years: 9 [n = 1], 12 [n = 2], 13 [n = 7], 14 and 15 [n = 9 each], 16 [n = 10]). The safety profile observed was similar to the double‐blind trials. Most TEAEs (>95%) were mild/moderate, related to anticholinergic activity, and infrequently led to discontinuation (n = 1/38 [2.6%]). No pediatric patients experienced a serious TEAE. Most anticholinergic TEAEs did not require a dose modification and resolved within 7 days. Approximately, one‐third of patients (n = 13/38 [34.2%]) had LSRs; most were mild/moderate in severity. Improvements in efficacy measures were maintained from the double‐blind trials.
Conclusions
Long‐term, once‐daily GT for up to 48 weeks (4‐week double‐blind plus 44 week open label) provides a noninvasive, well‐tolerated treatment option for pediatric patients with primary axillary hyperhidrosis.
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