Deucravacitinib Shows Sustained Efficacy in Plaque Psoriasis Through 3 Years: Study

Key Takeaways

• Deucravacitinib outperformed placebo and apremilast in achieving PASI 75 in phase 3 trials.

• Sustained efficacy was observed through 3 years, with no new safety concerns

Deucravacitinib, a first-in-class oral selective TYK2 inhibitor, has demonstrated durable efficacy and a favorable safety profile in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, according to a recent review of phase III and long-term data.

The review, published in the International Journal of Dermatology, highlights results from the POETYK PSO-1, PSO-2, and PSO-4 clinical trials, along with long-term extension studies evaluating deucravacitinib in over 2,000 patients. The agent, which selectively inhibits the TYK2-mediated signaling of interleukin (IL)-23, IL-12, and type I interferons, offers a targeted oral alternative to biologics.

In both POETYK PSO-1 and PSO-2, deucravacitinib significantly outperformed placebo and apremilast, a phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor, in achieving ≥75% improvement in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75). At week 16, approximately 58.4% of patients in the PSO-1 trial achieved PASI 75 with deucravacitinib, compared to 12.7% with placebo and 35.1% with apremilast. Similar outcomes were observed in PSO-2.

Long-term extension studies further support the durability of deucravacitinib’s effect. More than 60% of patients maintained PASI 75 through 148 weeks of continuous treatment, with no new safety signals emerging over the course of three years.

The overall safety profile of deucravacitinib was consistent with prior data and characterized by low rates of serious adverse events. The most frequently reported adverse events included nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, and acne. Herpes zoster occurred infrequently. Rates of major cardiovascular events and serious infections remained low over time.

The authors concluded, “The results of the phase III trials and long-term studies support deucravacitinib as an effective oral alternative to biologic therapies, with sustained efficacy and a favorable safety profile. Future studies should explore head-to-head comparisons with interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-23 inhibitors to better define its role in psoriasis management.”¹