The infliximab biosimilar in the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis

Background: The infliximab originator's patent recently expired, leading to the production of biosimilar versions of the drug. The biosimilars' efficacy was not tested on patients with psoriasis but most regulatory authorities approved their use in psoriasis because of an extrapolation of data from studies conducted in other diseases. Objective: We sought to describe the use of the infliximab biosimilar (Remsima; CT-P13) in patients with psoriasis. Methods: Objective (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) and subjective (visual analog pain scale) measurements of disease activity were collected in 2 cohorts of patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis: cohort 1 patients switched from the infliximab originator to the infliximab biosimilar; and cohort 2 patients were infliximab-naive and started on the infliximab biosimilar. Results: We observed no changes of Psoriasis Area and Severity Index and visual analog pain scale scores in 30 patients who switched from the infliximab originator to the biosimilar. Four of 5 infliximab-naive patients who started infliximab biosimilar treatment achieved 75% improvement or better from baseline Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score at the end of the induction phase. Limitations: Number of patients and length of follow-up was limited. Conclusions: Patients with psoriasis taking infliximab originator treatment can switch to the infliximab biosimilar without experiencing a significant change in clinical response or additional adverse events. The use of the infliximab biosimilar could reduce the growing pressure on health care budgets.