Ustekinumab Effective in Adolescents with Psoriasis Save

Biologic and new drug development seldom targets children and adolescents. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of ustekinumab in adolescents age 12 to 17 years with moderate-to-severe psoriasis,

100 patients received either ustekinumab with standard dosing (0.75 mg/kg [≤60 kg], 45 mg [>60-≤100 kg], and 90 mg [>100 kg]) or half-standard dosing (HSD; 0.375 mg/kg [≤60 kg], 22.5 mg [>60-≤100 kg], and 45 mg [>100 kg]) at weeks 0 and 4 and every 12 weeks or placebo at weeks 0 and 4 with crossover to ustekinumab SD or HSD at week 12. After 12 weeks of blinded therapy, 67.6% and 69.4% of patients receiving ustekinumab HSD and SD, respectively, achieved patient global assessment of 0 or 1 versus 5.4% for placebo (P < .001). Significantly greater proportions receiving ustekinumab achieved PASI 75 (78.4-80.6%) or PASI 90 (54.1-61.1%) at week 12 than did placebo patients (10.8% or 5.4%, respectively (P < .001). Adverse events were similar in all groups.

Good news is that adolescents with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis demonstarted comparable responses to adults, without significant differences between standard and have standard ustekinumab dosing.