Long-term safety experience of ustekinumab in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis (Part I of II): results from analyses of general safety parameters from pooled Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials

J Am Acad Dermatol. 2012 May;66(5):731-41. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2011.06.011. Epub 2011 Sep 17.

Abstract

Background: Ustekinumab targets interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 in the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

Objective: To evaluate overall pooled study data to assess the safety profile of ustekinumab through 3 years of treatment.

Methods: Cumulative safety data were pooled from studies in 3117 ustekinumab-treated patients.

Results: During the placebo-controlled periods (Phase 2, PHOENIX 1, PHOENIX 2), rates of adverse events (AEs) were comparable among patients treated with placebo (50.4%), with ustekinumab 45 mg (57.6%), or with ustekinumab 90 mg (51.6%); similar findings were observed during the controlled period of the ACCEPT trial (etanercept: 70.0%; ustekinumab 45 mg: 66.0%; and ustekinumab 90 mg: 69.2%). Rates of serious AEs (SAEs) through the controlled periods were low and comparable among all groups (1.2% to 1.9%). Through 3 years, rates of AEs per 100 patient-years of follow-up (/100 patient-yrs) (45 mg: 305.2/100 patient-yrs; 90 mg: 305.9/100 patient-yrs) and SAEs (45 mg: 6.8/100 patient-yrs; 90 mg: 8.2/100 patient-yrs) were comparable between ustekinumab doses. No cases of demyelination or tuberculosis were reported in these trials. No dose response in rates of AEs, overall infections, or SAEs was apparent through 3 years. Rates of AEs, infections, SAEs, and AEs leading to study agent discontinuation remained generally stable or decreased over time.

Limitations: Controlled periods did not extend beyond 12 to 20 weeks. Only 1247 of the 3117 ustekinumab-treated patients were treated for 2 or more years.

Conclusions: The safety profile of continued ustekinumab exposure through up to 3 years is favorable and consistent with previous short-term reports.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Clinical Trial, Phase III
  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions*
  • Etanercept
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / adverse effects
  • Immunoglobulin G / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psoriasis / diagnosis
  • Psoriasis / drug therapy*
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / therapeutic use
  • Risk Assessment
  • Safety Management
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ustekinumab

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Ustekinumab
  • Etanercept