Real-world single-centre experience of bimekizumab in patients with psoriasis: a 16-week retrospective observational study

Abstract Background Bimekizumab inhibits interleukin-17A and interleukin-17F. Clinical trials have shown its efficacy in moderate-­to-severe plaque psoriasis; however, real-world effectiveness and safety data remain limited. Objectives To evaluate the real-world effectiveness and safety of bimekizumab in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis over 16 weeks in routine clinical practice. Methods We conducted a single-centre retrospective observational study involving adults diagnosed with moderate-to-­severe plaque psoriasis who were administered bimekizumab (320 mg subcutaneously every 4 weeks for 16 weeks). The primary outcomes assessed were ≥90% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 90) and complete clearance (PASI 100) at week 16. Secondary outcomes included ≥ 50% improvement in PASI, ≥75% improvement in PASI, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores and the incidence of adverse events. Results In total, 86 patients were enrolled. Their mean (SD) age was 44.4 (12.3) years, 53% (n = 46) were women and 58% (n = 50) had prior biologic exposure. At week 16, 71% (n = 61) achieved PASI 90 and 66% (n = 57) achieved PASI 100. By week 4, 50% (n = 43) of the patients had achieved PASI 90. Patients who were biologic-naïve had higher PASI 90 rates than patients who were biologic-experienced (75% vs. 60%; P = 0.08). The complete clearance rates were 71%, 63% and 75% for scalp, nail and genital psoriasis, respectively. The mean (SD) DLQI decreased from 15.8 (6.2) at baseline to 3.2 (2.4) at week 16. Adverse events occurred in 33% of patients (n = 28), most commonly mild oral candidiasis (n = 15; 17%). No serious adverse events or treatment discontinuations were observed. Conclusions Bimekizumab demonstrated high efficacy in the real-world treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, with a rapid onset of action and improvement in difficult-to-treat areas. The safety profile was favourable.