Korean J Dermatol.  2022 Mar;60(3):151-158.

Long-Term Analysis of Ustekinumab Therapy for Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis in Korea

• Kim Y
• Bae KN
• Son JH
• Shin K
• Kim H
• Ko HC
• Kim MB
• Shin BS
• Kim B

Abstract

Background
Ustekinumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23. Although popular, data on its long-term efficacy and safety in Korean patients with psoriasis are limited.
Objective
To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of ustekinumab in Korean patients with psoriasis.
Methods
A retrospective study in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis who had been treated with ustekinumab for at least 5 years was conducted. The sex, age, body mass index, medical records, previous psoriasis therapy, psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) scores, and adverse events were evaluated.
Results
Twenty-five patients (median age 47.00 years) had been treated with ustekinumab for 5 years. The mean duration of psoriasis was 19.12±8.45 years, and the treatment duration with ustekinumab was 285.12±8.48 weeks. The baseline PASI was 17.52±7.38. PASI75 was achieved in 84% of the patients at week 28, and 96% of the patients maintained PASI75 during the 5-year follow-up period. Furthermore, 56% of patients reached PASI90 at 28 weeks, and 48% of patients maintained PASI90 for 5 years. No unexpected adverse events other than herpes zoster, herpes simplex, or elevated liver enzymes were reported.
Conclusion
Ustekinumab demonstrated long-lasting efficacy with an acceptable safety profile in Korean patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

Keyword

Efficacy; Psoriasis; Safety; Ustekinumab