Deucravacitinib Shows Efficacy in Treating Plaque Psoriasis

Deucravacitinib (BMS-986165, Bristol Myers Squibb), an oral selective tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor, was found to be successful in the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, according to Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS).

Psoriasis is a chronic, systemic immune-mediated disease that impairs quality of life, physical health, and work productivity. It affects at least 100 million people worldwide, of whom up to 90% have psoriasis vulgaris, also known as plaque psoriasis, which is categorized by round or oval plaques covered by silvery white scales.

This condition can lead to social stigma that can cause psychological distress, whereas the associated pain can cause functional disability. Psoriasis is also associated with comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes, depression, malignancies, and inflammatory bowel disease.

The study, known as POETYK PSO-1, tested the safety and efficacy of deucravacitinib compared with placebo and apremilast (Otezla, Amgen). In total, 666 participants living with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis were included in the multi-center, doubled-blind, and placebo-controlled study.

At the end of the 16-week trial, most patients had at a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score of 75, meaning they had achieved at least a 75% improvement in PASI. According to the study, the safety profile was consistent with reported phase 2 results.

“We are encouraged by the efficacy and safety profile observed in the POETYK PSO-1 study, which supports the strong potential we see for deucravacitinib, our novel, oral, selective TYK2 inhibitor, to be an important new therapy in psoriasis,” said Samit Hirawat, MD, executive vice president, chief medical officer, global drug development, BMS in a press release. “We recognize there is a significant unmet need for new therapeutic options for people with immune-mediated diseases, such as psoriasis, and are committed to pursuing potential new medicines that will give physicians additional choices to effectively treat and manage their patients.”

Deucravacitinib is not approved for use in any country.

REFERENCE:

Bristol Myers Squibb Announces Deucravacitinib (BMS-986165) Demonstrated Superiority to Placebo and Otezla® (apremilast) in Pivotal Phase 3 Psoriasis Study [News Release] November 3, 2020; Princeton, NJ. Accessed November 5, 2020 https://news.bms.com/news/corporate-financial/2020/Bristol-Myers-Squibb-Announces-Deucravacitinib-BMS-986165-Demonstrated-Superiority-to-Placebo-and-Otezla-apremilast-in-Pivotal-Phase-3-Psoriasis-Study/default.aspx.