The effectiveness and safety of mirikizumab for treatment of psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis is a common skin disease that affects about 125 million people worldwide. The condition is caused by an over-active immune system resulting in raised, scaly and itchy patches on the skin (called plaques). Plaques can be extensive and appear anywhere on the body, or can be limited to a few areas. Most patients require treatment over a long period of time. In this international study we examined how safe and how well mirikizumab works in treating psoriasis in patients with moderate-to-severe disease. To do this, 530 patients randomly received either mirikizumab 250 mg or a placebo (a substance without an active ingredient). After 16 weeks we looked at how many patients had achieved clear or almost clear skin. Patients responding to mirikizumab were then randomly split into three groups (mirikizumab 250 mg, mirikizumab 125 mg and placebo, every 8 weeks) and treated up to 52 weeks. We monitored patient safety throughout the entire study and for 12 weeks afterwards. Our ﬁndings showed that patients who received mirikizumab were more likely to achieve clear or almost clear skin at week 16 compared with patients taking the placebo. In terms of adverse events, no deaths occurred, and there were no new safety con-cerns. Serious side-effects were similar between patients who received mirikizumab and patients who received the placebo. In conclusion, mirikizumab is safe and works well in treating patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Mirikizumab clears skin plaques in about 16 weeks and continues to do so up to 52 weeks.