A real life experience with ustekinumab: The effectiveness of 45 mg on patients greater than 80 kg but lower than 100 kg

Abstract

Ustekinumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody has been demonstrated efficacious and safe in clinical trials. However, there are few real-life data evaluating the efficacy of ustekinumab. The aim of this retrospective follow up study was showing the efficacy in 58 adult patients with moderate to severe psoriasis treated at least 24 weeks with ustekinumab. The efficacy was evaluated as PASI75, PASI90, and PASI100 response rates at week 4, 12, 24, and 36 in patient groups according to the treatment dose, weight, biologic treatment naivety, and obesity. PASI75, PASI90, and PASI100 response rates were 79.3%, 62.1%, and 8.6% respectively, at week 12 and, 92.5%, 71.7% and 9.4%, respectively, at week 36. PASI75, PASI90, and PASI100 responses were generally higher in naive patients to the biologic therapy. Also, the responses were generally higher in non-obese patients at 4 and 12 weeks. According to the weight categories, PASI100 response rates were higher in the 81-99 kg group at week 12. In conclusion, ustekinumab is an effective and safe treatment option for moderate to severe psoriasis patients. It seems to be more effective in biologic treatment naive patients and non-obese patients. A 45 mg dose of ustekinumab seems to be effective in patients weighing 99 kg or less.