Tofacitinib (CP-690,550), an oral Janus kinase inhibitor, improves patient-reported outcomes in a phase 2b, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease with a significant impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Tofacitinib (CP-690,550) is a novel, oral Janus kinase inhibitor that is being investigated as a targeted immunomodulator.

OBJECTIVE: This Phase 2b study assessed three tofacitinib dosage regimens vs. placebo to characterize the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis. We report the patient-reported outcome (PRO) data.

METHODS: A total of 197 patients were randomized to tofacitinib 2, 5, 15 mg twice daily or placebo for 12 weeks. Six PRO questionnaires were completed during the study: Dermatology Life Quality Index, Itch Severity Score (ISS), Short Form-36 questionnaire, version 2 (SF-36), Pain/Discomfort Assessment (PDA), Patient Satisfaction with Study Medication (PSSM) item and Patient Global Assessment of psoriasis.

RESULTS: Treatment with tofacitinib resulted in significant, dose-dependent improvements in several PROs vs. placebo from week 2 onwards. At week 12, least squares mean changes from baseline for Dermatology life quality index, ISS and SF-36 mental component scores were significantly greater for all active drug arms vs. placebo (P < 0.05), and significantly greater for tofacitinib 5 and 15 mg for SF-36 physical component scores vs. placebo (P < 0.05). At week 12, all dose groups had significantly greater numbers of patients reporting 'Clear' or 'Almost clear' on the PtGA vs. placebo.

CONCLUSION: In patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis, short-term (12-week) treatment with oral twice-daily tofacitinib improves HRQoL outcomes and patient assessment of disease severity and symptoms, with an early onset noted.