Korean J Dermatol.  2022 Jun;60(5):307-315.

Efficacy and Safety of Risankizumab for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis in Korea: A Real-Life Experience

• Ko BC
• Lee SM
• Park HJ

Abstract

Background
Risankizumab is a humanized immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to the p19 subunit of interleukin-23. Risankizumab has demonstrated rapid and excellent therapeutic effects in several clinical trials. Although a growing number of studies have reported data on the real-world efficacy and safety of risankizumab for the treatment of psoriasis, no such study has been conducted in Korea.
Objective
We evaluated the real-world efficacy and safety of risankizumab for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in Korean patients.
Methods
This was a retrospective single-center study. A total of 33 patients treated with risankizumab, for at least 16 weeks, were enrolled. Based on electronic medical records, the clinical characteristics, psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score, body surface area, and adverse events were investigated.
Results
The mean PASI score was significantly reduced at 4 weeks of risankizumab treatment (3.27±2.15) and gradually reduced at week 16 (1.06±0.97) and week 52 (0.24±0.63) (p＜0.05). At week 16, all patients achieved a PASI 75 response, and 66.7% and 27.3% of patients achieved PASI 90 and PASI 100 responses, respectively. Obese patients (body mass index, BMI≥25 kg/m² ) showed a lower PASI 90 response than non-obese patients (BMI＜25 kg/m² ) at week 16. Older patients (age≥65 years) showed significantly higher PASI scores than younger patients (age＜65 years) at week 16. Mild to moderate adverse events were reported in four patients; however, no patient discontinued treatment.
Conclusion
Risankizumab was very effective in a real-world clinical practice with a favorable safety profile in Korean patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

Keyword

Biological products; Psoriasis; Risankizumab