Over the past two decades, the therapeutic landscape for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has been transformed by the introduction of more than a dozen targeted therapies.
For most patients with active PsA, a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor is recommended as the first-line biologic therapy. But some patients do not achieve an adequate response to TNF inhibitors or are intolerant to these therapies.
Choosing the right treatment after failure of the first biologic requires that clinicians consider several factors. Dr Atul Deodhar, of Oregon Health & Science University, discusses guidelines from the American College of Rheumatology/National Psoriasis Foundation and the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) for appropriate treatment strategies.
He also discusses factors critical to the optimal choice of the next therapy, such as the domains of disease activity, patient comorbidities, and whether the biologic's failure was primary or secondary.
Aside from choosing a new biologic, Dr Deodhar notes that there are other options to intensify the effect of the initial biologic. He says the clinician and patient may consider increasing the dose and frequency of the initial biologic medication or moving to a combination therapy by adding another drug, such as methotrexate.
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Atul A. Deodhar, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University; Medical Director, Rheumatology Clinics, OHSU Hospital, Portland, Oregon
Atul A. Deodhar, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Serve(d) as a consultant, for: Bristol Myers Squibb; Eli Lilly; Janssen; MoonLake; Novartis; Pfizer; UCB
Serve(d) as a speaker for: Eli Lilly; Novartis; Pfizer; UCB
Received research grant from: AbbVie; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celgene; Janssen; MoonLake; Novartis; Pfizer; UCB
Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Bristol Myers Squibb; Eli Lilly; Janssen; Novartis; Pfizer; Samsung Bioepis; UCB