Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has announced new data showing that Tremfya (guselkumab) reduces symptoms of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and also inhibits structural joint damage associated with the condition.
Tremfya is a dual-acting monoclonal antibody that works by blocking IL-23, a cytokine known to drive immune-related conditions. Tremfya also binds to CD64, a receptor that produce IL-23. It is the only drug of its kind approved to treat PsA.
J&J’s phase 3 APEX study showed that Tremfya continued to inhibit joint damage up to and throughout week 48 of the study. Participants also showed a clinically meaningful improvement in the American College of Rheumatology’s response criteria rates, which measure tenderness and swelling in affected joints. No new safety signals associated with Tremfya were demonstrated in the study, in line with the drug’s well-established safety profile.
J&J recently submitted a Biologics License Application to the US FDA for approval to edit the Tremfya label, adding new evidence for its capacity to inhibit the progression of joint damage.
“This long-term data show that Tremfya has set a new benchmark as the only IL-23 inhibitor proven to inhibit structural damage in active psoriatic arthritis, which can develop in up to 30% of people living with psoriasis,” said Leonard Dragone, vice president, rheumatology and autoantibody disease area leader, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine.
PsA is a long-term inflammatory arthritis condition characterised by symptoms such as pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints, as well as fatigue and possible flare-ups of psoriasis-related skin symptoms. The condition can be severely disabling, and early intervention is important for the prevention of joint damage.
Christopher Ritchlin, an investigator in the APEX study, said: “Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic condition where joint damage can begin early and progress quickly if left untreated. The APEX study results show that guselkumab can inhibit this process, even once it has begun, making it a valuable treatment option for both initiating treatment early and for patients who already show signs of joint damage.”