Switching Between Biological Treatments in Psoriatic Arthritis: A Review of the Evidence.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory arthropathy. Therapy with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α agents represents the first therapeutic choice for moderate and severe forms; however, PsA patients can experience anti-TNFα failure, lack of efficacy, or adverse events. Several evidences exist on the effectiveness of switching among different TNFα inhibitors, and we reviewed the published data on the effectiveness of anti-TNFα first-, second- and third-line. Most of the studies report that the main reason for switching to a second anti-TNFα agent is represented by lack of efficacy (primary or secondary) and, more rarely, adverse events. Switchers receiving their second anti-TNFα agent have considerably poorer responses compared with non-switchers. Survival of anti-TNFα treatment appears to be superior in PsA patients when compared with rheumatoid arthritis patients. Switching from anti-TNF agents to ustekinumab or secukinumab or apremilast can represent a valid alternative therapeutic strategy.

Key Points

Introduction

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory arthropathy associated with psoriasis in which ocular, intestinal, metabolic and cardiovascular involvement can variably occur, suggesting a comprehensive definition of the condition as psoriatic disease [1-6].

Dactylitis, entheseal and axial involvement associated with psoriasis or its familial history, as well as rheumatoid factor (RF) negativity, represent addressing diagnostic aspects [7, 8]. Ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are useful tools for describing pre-radiological inflammatory phases and staging synovial and periarticular involvement [9-12].

The main targets of therapy are the achievement of clinical remission, improvement of patients’ quality of life, and inhibition of structural radiological damage [13, 14].

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and intra-articular corticosteroid injections are used prevalently in mild articular forms, and conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs), including methotrexate, sulfasalazine, cyclosporine-A, and leflunomide, are required in more aggressive resistant cases [13, 14].

Biological DMARDs (bDMARDs) are recommended in severe cases, refractory to csDMARDs, possibly in the early phases of the disease. They are effective on inhibition of radiographic progression and on cutaneous and articular manifestations [13, 14].

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibition by use of its antagonists, represented by infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, golimumab and certolizumab-pegol, has shown high efficacy in numerous randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and longitudinal and real-world studies [13-15]. Furthermore, despite the protective role of TNFα against microorganisms, its inhibition has been shown to be cautiously safe if associated with appropriate screening and monitoring [16-20].

According to the progressive advances on the pathogenesis of PsA, other proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-17/23, and enzymatic molecules, such as phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), have been recognized as key factors in PsA pathogenesis. This observation has opened up additional perspectives in the management of the disease with the use of the newly developed bDMARDS ustekinumab and secukinumab of the targeted synthetic DMARD (tsDMARD) apremilast [13, 21].

This situation has generated valid therapeutic strategies in cases of primary non-response, loss of efficacy with time, intolerance, side effects and contraindication to anti-TNFα agents [22, 23]. Growing evidence suggests complex and variable treatment patterns for bDMARDs in PsA patients. Discontinuation or switching of biological agents due to tolerability issues or lack of efficacy is quite common, as is loss of efficacy over time.

In this review, we detail anti-TNFα failure, loss of efficacy, and withdrawal in PsA patients, and the treatment challenge that these patients subsequently face. The main published data on the effectiveness of second- and third-line anti-TNFα (or restarting the index anti-TNFα treatment) will also be reported. We performed an extensive search of the PubMed electronic database using the following keywords: ‘retention rate’ or ‘discontinuation rate’ or ‘switch’ and ‘psoriatic arthritis’.

Data from Real-life Studies

Several data describing the frequency of therapy switching and outcomes among PsA patients who switched anti-TNFα agent are derived from registries, including the Danish nationwide DANBIO registry [24], Swedish Biologics Register (ARTIS) [25], British Society for Rheumatology Biologics (BSRB) Register [26, 27], South Swedish Arthritis Treatment Group (SSATG) register [28], and BIOBADASER (Spanish registry for adverse events of biological therapies in rheumatic disease) registry [29].

In detail, in the observational cohort study based on the DANBIO registry, during 10 years of follow up involving 1422 PsA patients starting an anti-TNFα agent, 548 patients (39%) were reported as switching to a second TNFα inhibitor, mainly due to lack of efficacy, followed by adverse events [24]. Among these 548 patients, 245 were reported to continue treatment, whereas 189 switched to a third treatment and 114 patients stopped without starting other therapies. In the majority of switchers (62%), the main cause for switching to a third biologic was represented by lack of efficacy. Among patients switching to a third treatment, 30% were reported as switching to a fourth biologic agent, and, among those, 35% switched to a fifth anti-TNFα agent [24]. In this study, compared with baseline, a significant reduction of PsA activity after 3 and 6 months of therapy was reported during the first, second, and third anti-TNFα course [24].

Response rates were significantly lower with the second treatment when compared with the first anti-TNFα agent. Although response rates and drug survival were lower after switching, in a 2-year period an American College of Rheumatology 20% (ACR20) response was reported in 47% of switchers after starting the first anti-TNFα agent. No differences were observed between anti-TNFα therapy combinations [24]. The study highlighted that more than half of the switchers were women and switchers showed a shorter disease duration (3 years) when compared with non-switchers (4 years) [24].

In a Swedish study examining 10 years of clinical experience (between 1999 and 2008), using the ARTIS register, several and remarkable temporal trends were found [25]. The study evaluated 1417 PsA patients, as well rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA) patients, starting a first biologic therapy, and showed that measures of disease activity at treatment start declined significantly for all diseases, and diminished between the start of first-, second- and third-line therapy [25]. In particular, in PsA patients, the median disease duration declined during the study period and no tendency on the use of any csDMARDs at biologic start was found; however, the rate of patients using corticosteroids and NSAIDs was lower in patients recently starting a bDMARD when compared with the 10-year biological initiators [25]. Up to one-third of all patients discontinued their first biologic treatment within 1 year of the start of therapy, during the period between 1999 and 2007. In this study, inefficacy and adverse events represented the main reasons for therapy discontinuation. Biological inefficacy was shown to increase with calendar time, and discontinuation led to a reduction in adverse events [25]. Switchers to biological agents showed different comorbidities. Despite a < 50% drug retention rate at 5 years, most patients remained exposed to some biologic [25].

Another study of 566 PsA patients receiving their first anti-TNFα agent, (etanercept, n = 316; infliximab, n = 162; adalimumab, n = 88), which was included in the BSRB Register, was performed by Saad et al. in 2009, showing a high persistence rate in both initial and second-line anti-TNFα-treated patients [26]. In this study, patients showed a mean age of 46 ± 11 years at baseline, 53% were female, mean PsA duration was 12 ± 9 years, and persistence data were reported for a mean follow-up of 2.3 ± 0.9 person-years [26]. Results from this study showed that 422 patients completed at least 12 months of follow-up, 75.5% of whom remained on their first anti-TNF agent, while 9.5% discontinued for inefficacy, 10% for adverse events and 5% for other reasons. The presence of comorbidities was shown to be associated with patients’ withdrawal due to adverse events [26]. During the follow-up period, 178 patients received a second anti-TNF therapy and the survivor function on a second anti-TNF for switchers was 74% at 1 year [26].

In a subsequent study, data from the same registry showed that > 70% of PsA patients were responders at different times (6, 12 and 18 months) [27]. The response rate was comparable in patients receiving anti-TNFα agents in combination with a csDMARD or anti-TNFα monotherapy at 6 months. Disease remission was achieved by 27, 36 and 35% of patients of the anti-TNFα cohort at 6, 12 and 18 months, respectively [27].

In a 5-year period (April 1999–September 2006), data from the SSATG register evaluated potential predictors associated with the continuation of anti-TNFα therapies in 261 PsA patients starting anti-TNF therapy for the first time [28]. The main results of this study showed that response rates at 3–12 months for global VAS and pain were approximately 50% [28]. Response rates were reported to be approximately 50%. Initial use of etanercept (p = 0.01), high C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (p = 0.03) and concomitant therapy with methotrexate (p = 0.03) were associated with better overall drug survival, regardless of joint distribution involvement [28]. The improved drug survival of concomitant methotrexate was related to significantly fewer discontinuations related to adverse events. The rate of serious adverse events on anti-TNF therapies was 5–6% per year [28].

In 2006, in a study using the BIOBADASER registry, Gomez-Reino et al. reported that drug discontinuation was predicted by older age [29]. Of 4706 patients registered in the BIOBADASER registry between 2000 and 2004, 10% were PsA patients. Survival was better in patients replacing the first TNF antagonist because of adverse events, and worse in patients older than 60 years of age or who were treated with infliximab [29]. Of the 289 PsA patients starting a first TNF inhibitor, 55 failed, and, in 15 patients starting a second agent, 8 failed. One- and 2-year drug survival rates of the TNF antagonist were 0.87 and 0.81, respectively. Survival of the second TNF antagonist decreased to 0.68 and 0.60 at 1 and 2 years, respectively [29].

Among other studies focusing on a real-world setting, results from a hospital database of inflammatory arthropathies, including PsA, have shown that more than 30% of patients starting adalimumab, infliximab and etanercept discontinued their initial therapy, mainly due to primary (32%) and secondary failure (37%) and adverse events (25%). Five-year retention on adalimumab (77%) and etanercept (70%) was higher than infliximab (17%) [30].

In a clinical practice setting, the overall 10-year retention rate of a first-line anti-TNF agent has been reported at approximately 23%, while etanercept has shown a high drug survival rate. Results were significantly higher for SpA patients, including PsA, compared with RA patients [31].

Recently, Zhang et al. reported data from the Truven Health Analytics MarketScan® Research Database (2005–2009) on a total of 1698 and 3263 PsA patients who started a csDMARD and a bDMARD, respectively [32]. The study showed that PsA patients initiating a csDMARD or bDMARD did not remain on the first therapy for long [32]. Indeed, considering patients starting a csDMARD, more than 70% showed one or more therapy changes over the 1-year study period, with a median time of 85 days. After a therapy change, 83% discontinued, 29% switched therapy (in the majority of cases switched to a bDMARD), and 25% received a therapy add-on mainly consisting of a bDMARD. For patients starting on a bDMARD, 46% showed one or more therapy changes, with a median time of 110 days. Furthermore, among patients discontinuing therapy, 25% switched therapy (in more than 90% of cases switched to another bDMARD), and 7% received a therapy add-on with a csDMARD [32].

Yeaw et al. performed a study evaluating treatment patterns within 360 days after discontinuation of anti-TNFα therapy, using the IMS LifeLink Health Plan Claims database (2005–2009) [33]. Among 27,704 patients showing different diagnoses of arthritis, including 2098 PsA patients who were anti-TNFα naive, 14,707 (53%) patients discontinued treatment over 1–3 years of follow-up. Within 360 days of discontinuing the first anti-TNFα agent, 53% of patients restarted the same therapy [33].

Of more than 2100 patients receiving anti-TNFα therapy (adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab), 52–64% restarted the index agent, 17–21% switched to a non-index anti-TNFα agent, 0.5–6% switched to a non-index biologic, 7% switched to non-biologic therapies, and 13–20% did not receive any new treatment [33]. A significantly higher proportion of patients receiving etanercept restarted the same drug within 3 months of discontinuation, when compared with patients receiving adalimumab and infliximab [33].

Other studies analyzing treatment patterns among PsA patients who started biologic therapy were derived from the MarketScan® Commercial Claims and Encounters Database (Thomson Reuters, Ann Arbor, MI, USA) [34, 35].

In 2013, in a study from this database observing treatment patterns among 3164 PsA patients who started biologic therapy, csDMARDs combined with biologic agents were reported to reduce the rates of biologic therapy discontinuation [34]. Among PsA patients, 68% started a biologic in monotherapy and 32% started biologics combined with csDMARDs. In a 1-year post-period, 51% of patients starting biologics continued the same treatment, with an average time to discontinuation of 279 days. Rates of discontinuation, switching, and restarting were 33, 10, and 6%, respectively, for all patients. A significantly lower rate of discontinuation was observed in the biologic therapy combined with csDMARDs group compared with the biologic monotherapy group [34].

In 2012, using data from the MarketScan® database (2005–2009), Bonafede et al. analyzed etanercept, adalimumab, or infliximab treatment patterns within the first year after starting biological therapy in patients with different types of arthritis, including PsA [35]. The authors highlighted that, in the first year after initiating TNF blocker therapy, patients often have a more than 45-day treatment gap; however, approximately two-thirds of patients were either persistent with or restarted their index therapy in the year following TNF blocker initiation [35]. The authors found that among PsA patients, treatment patterns in the first year after starting etanercept, adalimumab, or infliximab were as follows: persistence ranging from 47 to 56%; restarting the initial anti-TNFα agent after a treatment gap of more than 45 days = 29, 17, and 17% respectively; switching to a different biologic of interest, more than 10%; and quitting (≥ 45-day treatment gap with no restart or switch), ranging from 14 to 19%. Thus, the combined rates of either persistence or restarting after a treatment gap among PsA patients were 76, 70, and 73% for etanercept, adalimumab, and infliximab, respectively [35]. Mean times for switching from the index anti-TNFα agent to one of the other two anti-TNFα agents ranged from 123 to 213 days [35].

In another study including 60 PsA patients (mean age 46 years, median disease duration 16 years) using biologic drugs (2001–2006), Coates et al. investigated the response to therapy and quantified non-response and outcome from switching agents [36]. The authors found that anti-TNFα therapy showed a sustained response over 3 years and was well tolerated [36]. The mean rate of improvement was found to be more than 50% in tender joint count (TJC), swollen joint count (SJC), and CRP levels, and > 35% in the overall PsA activity score. Improvements were sustained beyond 2 years with no loss of effect. Overall, in 90% of cases, a significant response was achieved, and switching was reported in 20% of cases. Outcomes were found to be similar regardless of the therapy used, PsA duration, and pattern [36]. The rate of non-response was low, with the majority of patients responding to second- and third-line therapies. Side effects leading to discontinuation or switching of first-line therapy were only found in 5% of patients, and non-response was reported in 20% long term [36].

Interesting findings on the reasons for medication discontinuation have been also described by the national survey data collected by the United States National Psoriasis Foundation using biannual surveys (2003–2011) [37]. In this study, conducted on 5604 patients with psoriasis and PsA, adverse effects, lack of effectiveness, and inadequate response represented the main causes of discontinuation of etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab, and golimumab [37]. Several data have reported that in case of inadequate response or adverse events with infliximab, early switching to etanercept therapy can be effective and safe [38].

An English regional survey was conducted on 548 PsA patients (median age 49 years; interquartile range [IQR] 40–57 years; 51% female) who started biologic therapy between August 2007 and June 2012 [39]. Median time from diagnosis to starting anti-TNF was 4.6 years (IQR 2.0–10.0 years). At baseline, 72% of patients were receiving a concomitant csDMARD, and 84% of them were receiving methotrexate. The majority of patients were started on adalimumab first-line (64%), followed by etanercept (34%), infliximab (2%) and golimumab (1%) [39]. At the 12-week assessment, 74% of patients had an adequate response to anti-TNFα agents. The main reason for cessation of initial biologic and sequential use were secondary inefficacy and lack of efficacy over time. Among PsA patients receiving anti-TNFα therapy, 17% switched between anti-TNFα agents (n = 94), with a further 3% switching three to four biologics (n = 19) [39]. The majority of patients (60%) had an adequate response to a second- or third-line biologic, with a further 18% of switchers awaiting assessment of their disease activity at the time of the survey [39].

In another routine care setting study conducted on 193 PsA patients (male/female, 107/86; mean age, 46.8 years; mean disease duration, 6.7 years, 171/22 peripheral/axial forms) who initiated anti-TNFα therapy between 2001 and 2013 with a follow-up of at least 6 months, high drug survival and high response rates were observed [40]. The majority of patients started with first-line etanercept (n = 102), followed by adalimumab (n = 46), infliximab (n = 44) and golimumab (n = 1). Only 25% of patients received concomitant csDMARDs (65% receiving methotrexate) [40]. At 3 months, in 90% of patients an adequate response was achieved, while in 7 and 3% of cases, discontinuation was observed due to lack of efficacy and adverse events, respectively. Median drug survival was 2 years, while 1- and 2-year drug survival rates were 77 and 67%, respectively. Seventy-nine (41%) patients switched to a second anti-TNFα, among whom 23% switched to a third anti-TNFα; 82% of switchers responded to second-line therapy and 83% responded to third-line therapy [40].

Other data from a retrospective study, carried out in a routine clinical setting on 268 ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and PsA patients receiving a total of 353 anti-TNFα treatment courses (97 adalimumab, 180 etanercept, and 76 infliximab), showed that more than 70% of patients with a mean follow-up of 33.7 months were still receiving their initial therapy [41]. The majority of anti-TNFα treatment discontinuations were due to the absence of clinical remission (53%) or the occurrence of an adverse event (40%) [41]. The results of this study showed that, at a 6-month follow-up, more than 85% of patients who switched to another anti-TNF agent (due to the loss of efficacy over time or to the occurrence of an adverse event) were responsive to the second anti-TNF agent [41]. In this study, treatment courses were significantly shorter in women than in men, and axial or peripheral involvement did not seem to be determinant factors influencing the anti-TNF agent retention rate, which was only affected by therapy duration [41]. In particular, in the subset of patients with prevalent axial involvement, the authors found a longer duration of biologic therapy [41]. No significant differences were shown in the duration of anti-TNF therapy according to whether a patient was receiving a concomitant csDMARD or not [41].

The authors reported that comparison among different arthropathies showed significant differences between PsA and AS (p = 0.0073) and between PsA and PsA with predominant axial involvement (p = 0.0467) in terms of therapy duration, but not significant differences in persistence rate. Moreover, in the comparison among therapies, there was a significant difference relating to the treatment persistence rates between etanercept and infliximab (p = 0.0062). More than 85% of patients were still responding after 6 months of follow-up [41].

In a German retrospective cohort study conducted using the Electronic Medical Record database of IMS Disease Analyzer, Lyu et al. analyzed treatment persistence and treatment patterns of 197 PsA patients, 576 RA patients, and 108 AS patients without biologic experience during the pre-index period, starting subcutaneous biologic therapies (from 2009 to 2012) with and without prior DMARD use [42]. The percentages of PsA-persistent patients ≥ 12 months was 58%, and the median persistence time over 12 months was 365.0 days (mean 264.1) [42]. Switching between subcutaneous biologics occurred in < 10% of patients in all three cohorts. In the subpopulations with at least two prescriptions for the index subcutaneous biologic, and who remained persistent on the index subcutaneous biologic, dose escalation of ≥ 50% occurred in more than 50% of PsA patients. In this study, a significant rate of patients who remained persistent on their index subcutaneous biologic had a dose escalation [42].

Another real-world setting, retrospective, observational analysis was performed using the Humana commercial claims database. This analysis evaluated patients with an index (first) claim (2008–2011) for biologic therapies for the treatment of different diseases, including psoriasis and PsA [53]. Among 2721 patients analyzed, 48% were new patients and 52% were patients who were continuing their treatment. The percentage of patients with psoriasis, PsA, and associated psoriasis and PsA was 21.2, 6.3 and 7.6%, respectively [43]. Continuing patients had higher rates of persistence on index therapy than patients receiving new treatment. New patients were less persistent than those continuing on therapy [43].

Most continuing patients were persistent on their index biologic at 1 year, and the rates of discontinuation from the index biologic were higher for new patients than for continuing patients [43]. The proportion of patients who restarted their index biologics after a 45-day gap in therapy varied by agent and indication, and, with some exceptions, appeared to be similar between new and continuing patients. Relatively few patients switched from their index biologics to another biologic. In particular, index biologic therapies and treatment patterns for each biologic over 360 days were analyzed for new and continuing patients [43].

In a 2014 multicenter, retrospective cohort study, Kádár et al. explored the main causes of permanent discontinuation of biological treatment in patients with different inflammatory arthritis, including 11 PsA patients in whom therapies had been permanently discontinued [44]. The most common causes of discontinuation were represented by adverse events, inefficacy, or remission [44].

In a 2013 study, Bonafede et al. examined, by way of a retrospective real-world analysis, etanercept and adalimumab treatment patterns in patients with psoriasis and PsA included in a US claims database [45, 46]. Among 4453 patients with psoriasis and PsA, 2534 and 1919 patients started etanercept and adalimumab, respectively. Treatment changes were common in all groups within the first 12 months of treatment with etanercept or adalimumab [55, 56]. Among patients treated with etanercept, 46–61% were persistent for ≥ 12 months, 43–49% discontinued, 24–26% restarted, and 5–21.4% switched index therapy within 12 months [45, 46]. Among patients treated with adalimumab, 57–63% were persistent for ≥ 12 months, 51–63% discontinued, 12.6–22.4% restarted, and 11–18% switched index therapy within 12 months [45, 46].

In a retrospective study, Paccou et al. examined the data of 99 SpA patients, including 21 PsA patients, who had received at least two anti-TNFα agents [47]. The authors showed that in case of failure or intolerance to anti-TNFα in the treatment of SpA, performing a first or second switch yields a satisfactory therapeutic response (80.8%). After the failure of a third anti-TNFα, a satisfactory response was rarely achieved (82.1%) [47].

In a retrospective study investigating adalimumab as a second or third choice in 47 patients, including 25 PsA patients, adalimumab was shown to be a good second-line drug regardless of the reason for switching [48].

A retrospective study by the US Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center pharmacy (from 1999–2007) evaluated the pattern of biologic agent use in 428 male patients with inflammatory diseases, including PsA and psoriasis, treated with biologics at some point over the 9-year study period [49]. The mean number of biologics used was highest in patients with SpA (1.5, p = 0.003), with the mean stop/switch rate for the first biologic agent being lowest in patients with RA (47.4%, p = 0.02). For all groups except inflammatory bowel disease, the biologic with the highest rate of continuation was etanercept [49].

Several prospective, observational, longitudinal studies have investigated the efficacy and drug discontinuation in PsA patients under biological therapies.

In a 5-year, open-label, observational cohort study evaluating 65 patients, Saougou et al. reported a sustained clinical response at the end of therapies, with a survival rate of 76% for etanercept, 57% for infliximab, and 50% for adalimumab. All anti-TNF agents were effective, safe, and well-tolerated. Clinical improvement (in terms of the Psoriatic Arthritis Response Criteria [PsARC], ACR50, Disease Activity Score [DAS]-28, and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index [PASI] 70 and 90) was maintained through the 5 years with high infliximab, adalimumab, and etanercept survival [50].

A prospective, observational study investigating 217 first-time PsA switchers or 57 second-time switchers between 2003 and 2012 showed that the response rates of first-time anti-TNF switchers were moderate, while the response rates of second-time switchers were poor [61]. In particular, the 3-month ACR20 Lund Efficacy Index (LUNDEX) response was achieved by 47% of first-time switchers and 22% of second-time switchers; ACR50 LUNDEX rates were 21 and 14%, ACR70 LUNDEX rates were 12 and 2%, and EULAR LUNDEX rates were 26 and 10%, respectively. Median drug survival time for patients switching anti-TNF for the first time was 64 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 31–97) compared with 14 months (95% CI 5–23) for second-time switchers. The baseline predictor of ACR20 response to second-line treatment was the DAS-28 values at baseline (odds ratio [OR] 1.45, 95% CI 1.01–2.10), while higher Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) scores predicted premature drug withdrawal (hazard ratio [HR] 1.60, 95% CI 1.03–2.48) [51].

A prospective, observational study investigating the possibility of drug-free remission in csDMARD- or bDMARD-treated PsA patients in continuous remission for at least 6 months showed that the hazard to reach drug-free remission in PsA patients was low [52]. In this study, the authors evaluated 14 patients receiving methotrexate monotherapy and 12 patients receiving anti-TNF therapy [52]. The incidence of recurrence of disease was high (n = 20, 76.9%) and occurred rapidly (74.50 ± 51.72 days) after treatment discontinuation. Male PsA patients were significantly more likely to lose remission. Long disease duration, severe psoriasis, and the presence of synovial hypertrophy by ultrasonographic examination at baseline decreased the likelihood for drug-free remission. When restarting DMARDs, prompt remission followed in all cases [52].

A prospective study reported the 2-year drug survival rates of adalimumab, etanercept, and infliximab in 328 PsA patients with peripheral arthritis (213 with polyarticular PsA and 115 with oligoarticular PsA) beginning their first ever anti-TNFα treatment [53]. Persistence in therapy was not statistically different in the two subsets. In particular, 2-year drug survival rates were 65.7 and 70.4% in polyarticular and oligoarticular PsA, respectively. In the polyarticular subset, the persistence of etanercept (68.3%) was significantly higher than that of adalimumab (51.9%, p = 0.01). No significant difference in oligoarticular PsA was shown. Female sex represented a predictor of drug discontinuation [53].

Important data on drug survival have been reported by longitudinal observational studies conducted in the context of the Norwegian longitudinal observational study on DMARDs (NOR-DMARD) [54-56]. Among these studies, in 2008, a comparison of the 1-year retention rates between 172, 847, and 249 anti-TNFα treatment courses in PsA, RA, and AS patients, respectively, showed that survival of anti-TNF treatment was superior in AS and PsA patients compared with RA patients [54]. Larger improvements in HRQOL in patients with PsA and AS may contribute to the differences in drug survival [54]. Unadjusted 1-year retention rates were 77.3, 77.5, and 65.4% in the PsA, AS and RA, groups, respectively, and the adjusted HR for treatment termination was 0.76 (95% CI 0.53–1.07) for PsA versus RA. High baseline disease activity and female sex were significantly associated with premature treatment termination, whereas concomitant methotrexate was associated with better drug survival for PsA and RA patients, but not for AS patients [54].

In 2013, another longitudinal observational study in NOR-DMARD of 95 PsA patients starting their first anti-TNF, and who had switched to a second agent, showed that 20–40% of patients had a response on a second anti-TNF [55]. In particular, switchers receiving their second anti-TNF had significantly poorer responses compared with 344 non-switchers (ACR50 response: 22.5 vs. 40.0%; DAS28 remission: 28.2 vs. 54.1%). Within switchers, there was a trend toward poorer responses to the second anti-TNF compared with the first anti-TNF. Estimated 3-year drug survival was 36% for the second anti-TNF compared with 57% for the first anti-TNF [55].

In a successive analysis of data from NOR-DMARD, responses were similar in the two groups studied, including 170 patients starting their first anti-TNF as monotherapy and 270 patients with concomitant methotrexate. However, drug survival was superior in patients receiving methotrexate (p = 0.07), mainly for patients receiving infliximab (p = 0.01). In addition to the lack of concomitant methotrexate, current smoking was also found to be an independent predictor of discontinuation of biological therapies [56].

In a prospective, open-label, uncontrolled study investigating the efficacy, toxicity, and survival of infliximab in 32 PsA patients refractory to at least two DMARDs, infliximab was effective, safe, and well tolerated. Clinical response was maintained for a period of 3 years, with a high survival rate for infliximab [57]. In particular, eight patients withdrew from the study, primarily for acute allergic reactions. After the first year, the infliximab survival rate was 84, and 75% after the second year, which was maintained throughout the third year of treatment [57].

With regard to infliximab, several studies suggested that a longer therapy period before discontinuation could be more effective in maintaining a good clinical response [58]. Indeed, in a 78-week, open-label study showing a sustained effect of infliximab at low dose (3 mg/kg every 8 weeks) combined with methotrexate, the improvement obtained lasted a few months, even 1 year after infliximab discontinuation [58].

In a study by Conti et al. among patients who switched from infliximab to etanercept, a clinical response was demonstrated in 70% of PsA patients and 83% of AS patients [59].

In a study analyzing 301 patients with arthritis (46 patients with AS, 63 with PsA, and 192 with RA) treated with anti-TNF agents, globally 38% of these patients received more than one anti-TNF agent, but anti-TNF switching in AS and PsA was less frequent than in RA patients. In particular, switching to a second anti-TNFα agent was seen in 115 (38%) patients, namely 21 PsA, 11 AS, and 83 RA patients. PsA patients showed the best response rate to a second anti-TNF therapy. Moreover, 46 patients (5 with AS, 3 with PsA and 38 with RA) received a third TNF blocker [60]. Survival of anti-TNF agents in AS and PsA seems to be better than in RA. Switching anti-TNF agents for loss of efficacy over time may have the best effect in patients with AS and PsA, and predominantly in RA [60].

Some authors suggest that switching due to lack of efficacy may be an alternative in AS and PsA patients. Furthermore, switching to a second anti-TNF agent as a result of side effects may be reasonable, while switching to a third anti-TNF agent, again as a result of side effects, cannot be recommended [60].

Successively, different studies on serum anti-drug antibodies have been conducted [61, 62].

In a Chinese study evaluating the effect of anti-drug antibodies on the clinical efficacy and withdrawal rate of anti-TNFα agents in patients with rheumatic diseases starting a first biologic, the production of anti-infliximab and anti-adalimumab, but not anti-etanercept, antibodies was shown as a key determinant of discontinuation of the related therapies [61]. In PsA and RA, the non-response rate was significantly higher in patients with anti-drug antibodies when compared with responders (54 vs. 13%; p = 0.01) [61].

In a study evaluating 143 patients (62 with RA and 81 with SpA, among whom 49 had AS and 32 had PsA) treated with anti-TNFα agents for a median of 28 months, patients not responding to treatment had higher serum anti-adalimumab and anti-infliximab antibody levels. Anti-infliximab antibody formation was related to an increased risk of infusion reactions, changing to another biologic drug, and treatment discontinuation. Anti-etanercept antibodies were not found in any of the 61 etanercept-treated patients [62].

Data from Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trials

In 2010, a study evaluating the effectiveness and safety of adalimumab 40 mg biweekly showed that PsA patients previously treated with infliximab and/or etanercept obtained significant improvements after 12 weeks of therapy. In this study, patients were stratified by anti-TNF therapy history, previous anti-TNF therapy (infliximab discontinued for 2 or more months, etanercept discontinued for 3 or more weeks, or both), and causes of therapy discontinuation. At week 12 of adalimumab treatment, modified PsARC was fulfilled by 71% of 66 PsA patients with prior exposure to anti-TNFα agents, and by 79% of 376 patients with no previous infliximab or etanercept therapy. The percentages of PsA patients obtaining an improved Physician’s Global Assessment of psoriasis increased from 33 to 61% for patients with prior treatment and from 35 to 70% for patients without previous use of anti-TNF therapy. Adalimumab was shown to be safe and adverse events were similar for patients with and without prior anti-TNF therapy [63].

Adalimumab has been reported to be safe, and also leads to major improvement with DMARDs [64].

Data on combined therapy of infliximab with methotrexate have been reported in a recent open-label study that evaluated the efficacy and safety of infliximab (5 mg/kg) at weeks 0, 2, 6, and 14 combined with methotrexate (15 mg weekly) or methotrexate alone (15 mg weekly) in 115 PsA patients naive to methotrexate [65]. At week 16, 86% of patients receiving infliximab plus methotrexate, versus 67% of those receiving methotrexate alone, achieved a significantly greater improvement of ACR20 response rates, PASI 75, dactylitis, fatigue and duration of morning stiffness, CRP levels, DAS-28 response, and remission rates. In the infliximab plus methotrexate group, two patients had serious adverse events, but none in the methotrexate group; however, combined therapy was generally well-tolerated [65].

In addition to the IMPACT study, other evidences on the efficacy of infliximab on radiological outcomes have also been reported by Marzo-Ortega et al. These authors evaluated 18 PsA patients receiving four infusions of infliximab (3 mg/kg) combined with methotrexate who underwent MRI of the inflamed hands (12 patients) or the knee joints (6 patients) before and after therapy. In addition to significant improvement in all clinical outcomes, combined therapy with infliximab and methotrexate was associated with an improvement in MRI bone edema [66].

In a recent phase III, randomized, placebo-controlled study (RAPID-PsA), Mease et al. reported on the efficacy and safety of certolizumab in PsA, showing results consistent with those of other anti-TNFα agents [67]. In this study, 409 patients were randomized 1:1:1 to receive placebo, certolizumab 200 mg every 2 weeks, or certolizumab 400 mg every 4 weeks. Twenty percent of patients had been previously exposed to one anti-TNFα agent. Improvements in the signs and symptoms of PsA on certolizumab were observed at 1 week [67]. At week 12, ACR20 response showed a significant improvement (p < 0.001) in patients randomized to certolizumab 200 mg every 2 weeks (58.0%) and 400 mg every 4 weeks (52%) when compared with patients receiving placebo (24.3%). Overall, 368 patients completed 24 weeks of treatment and certolizumab showed a safe profile. At week 24, skin involvement, enthesitis, dactylitis, nail disease and ACR20 response confirmed improvement in certolizumab-treated patients. The high 24-week ACR20 response in patients under certolizumab was independent of prior anti-TNFα therapy. There was a statistically significant improvement in PsARC (p < 0.001) and physical function from baseline (p < 0.001) compared with the placebo group [67].

Significant improvement in the HAQ Disability Index (HAQ-DI), Short Form-36 (SF-36), Psoriatic Arthritis Quality of Life (PsAQOL), fatigue, pain, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), social participation, and productivity at paid work and within the home were observed in both certolizumab groups when compared with placebo [68, 69].

Post hoc analyses showed that certolizumab therapy was able to inhibit radiographic progression when compared with placebo, above all in patients with high baseline modified total sharp score (mTSS) and CRP concentrations [70]. In an extension study, certolizumab efficacy was maintained at week 96 in both dose regimens and in patients with/without prior anti-TNF exposure [71].

Recently, biosimilar drugs for anti-TNFα have been introduced due to the patent expiry of the originator molecule [72-74]. Several studies have investigated switching from the originator drug to a biosimilar molecule in PsA [75, 76]. Among those studies, NOR-SWITCH represents a randomized study showing that patients with inflammatory bowel disease, SpA, RA, PsA, or chronic plaque psoriasis receiving stable treatment with an infliximab originator for at least 6 months and switching from the originator molecule to a biosimilar anti-TNFα agent (Remsima, CT-P13) is not inferior to continued treatment with the originator drug [75].

Data from the DANBIO registry have reported that in 802 patients with arthritis, RA, PsA, and axial SpA treated with infliximab for a median of more than 6 years, switching to CT-P13 had no negative impact on 1-year clinical outcomes and disease activity [76].

Switching from Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Agents to Ustekinumab, Secukinumab, Ixekizumab and Apremilast

Among new therapies able to inhibit precise targets, ustekinumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody blocking the common p40 chain shared by IL-12 and IL-23 (anti-IL-12p40), has also been recently approved in the US and Europe for adults patients with active PsA [77].

In four reports of two large phase III trials (PSUMMIT I and II), subcutaneous use of ustekinumab at a dose of 45 or 90 mg showed greater effect than placebo on cutaneous, articular, and radiological aspects [78-81].

In the phase III, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial PSUMMIT II, which included 312 PsA patients with previous exposure to conventional and/or anti-TNFα agents, a significant and sustained improvement was shown in PsA patients receiving ustekinumab [80]. Patients were randomized to ustekinumab 45 or 90 mg at week 0, week 4 and every 12 weeks, or placebo at weeks 0, 4, and 16, and crossover to ustekinumab 45 mg at weeks 24, 28 and 40. At week 16, patients with a < 5% improvement in TJC/SJC entered blinded early escape (from placebo to ustekinumab 45 mg; from ustekinumab 45 mg to ustekinumab 90 mg; from ustekinumab 90 mg to ustekinumab 90 mg). Forty-four percent of patients receiving ustekinumab, compared with 20% of patients receiving placebo, achieved the primary endpoint, represented by ACR20 at week 24 (p < 0.001) [80]. Significant treatment differences were observed for the secondary endpoints, as determined by week 24 HAQ-DI improvement (p < 0.001), ACR50 (p ≤ 0.05), and PASI 75 (p < 0.001); these results were sustained through week 52. Among patients previously treated with one or more anti-TNF agent, sustained ustekinumab efficacy was also observed. Unexpected adverse events were not observed through week 60 [80].

Combined data from PSUMMIT I and II indicated that ustekinumab, regardless of dose of 45 or 90 mg, significantly inhibited radiographic progression at week 24 in PsA patients, as determined by total van der Heijde modified sharp score (vdH-S) score mean changes [81].

Secukinumab represents a fully human immunoglobulin (Ig) G1κ monoclonal antibody that selectively neutralizes IL-17A [77], which, acting with other proinflammatory cytokines, including TNFα, leads to upregulation of expression of different genes associated with inflammatory response in different cells, as well as keratinocytes and fibroblasts, leading to increased production of proinflammatory molecules [77].

Secukinumab was tested in two phase III, placebo-controlled RCTs, in both TNF inhibitor-naive and TNF inhibitor-experienced patients [82, 83]. The first, FUTURE-1, used secukinumab 10 mg/kg intravenously at weeks 0, 2, and 4, followed by subcutaneous secukinumab at a dose of either 150 or 75 mg every 4 weeks, or placebo [77]. Compared with placebo, significantly higher responses were observed for the two drug-treated groups in the achievement of ACR20. Secondary endpoints, including the ACR50 response and joint structural damage, were significantly better in the secukinumab groups than in the placebo group [82].

Successively, 397 patients with active PsA were included in a large, phase III, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients were randomized to subcutaneously receive secukinumab 300 mg (n = 100), 150 mg (n = 100), 75 mg (n = 99), or placebo (n = 98) once weekly from baseline and then every 4 weeks from week 4. The results showed that subcutaneous secukinumab 300 and 150 mg improved the signs and symptoms of PsA [83].

In the SPIRIT-P2 phase III trial, ixekizumab, another monoclonal antibody that inhibits IL-17A, at a dosage of 80 mg every 4 weeks or every 2 weeks after a 160 mg starting dose, has been shown to be efficacious in improving the signs and symptoms of patients with active PsA who previously had inadequate response to anti-TNFα agents [84].

Another trial on ixekizumab conducted in biologic-naive PsA patients has reported efficacy in improving disease activity and physical function, as well as in the inhibition of structural damage progression. In regard to safety, adverse events have been reported more frequently in all active groups compared with placebo [85].

Apremilast is an oral molecule that inhibits PDE4, a key intracellular hydrolysing cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) into AMP [77]. The clinical efficacy and safety of apremilast has been reported in the Psoriatic Arthritis Long-term Assessment of Clinical Efficacy (PALACE) phase III pivotal clinical trials (PALACE 1, 2, and 3), which demonstrate that apremilast is effective and safe for the treatment of active PsA, despite prior conventional DMARD or biologic treatment [86-88].

Discussion

Data on therapy in case of failure of biologic agents are still scarce in PsA and derive from registries [24-29], prospective and longitudinal studies [50-62], and randomized, placebo-controlled trials [63-71]. Most of the evidence indicates that the main reason for switching to a second anti-TNFα agent is represented by lack of effect, followed by inefficacy and, more rarely, adverse events [24–26, 30, 41]. Switchers receiving their second anti-TNFα agent have considerably poorer responses compared with non-switchers [55]. Drug survival for the second anti-TNFα agent has been found to be lower when compared with drug-survival for the first anti-TNFα agent overall [55]. In the majority of cases, the main cause for switching to a third biologic relies on the lack of effect [24].

A sustained clinical response has been reported at 5 years of observation, with satisfying infliximab and adalimumab survival rates and high etanercept survival [50]. No differences between the various anti-TNFα combinations have been observed to date [24]. Survival seems to be better in patients replacing the first TNF antagonist as a result of adverse events [29].

In most cases, patients who switched to another anti-TNF agent due to the loss of efficacy over time or to the occurrence of an adverse event seem to be more responsive to the second therapy [41]. Survival of patients receiving anti-TNFα treatment appears to be superior in PsA patients compared with RA patients [54, 60].

In several studies, axial or peripheral involvement did not seem to be a determinant factor in influencing the anti-TNF agent retention rate, only the duration of therapy [41]. Additionally, persistence in therapy has also been found to be similar in polyarticular and oligoarticular PsA subsets beginning their first anti-TNFα treatment [53]. The presence of other comorbidities has been reported to be frequently associated with patients’ withdrawal due to adverse events [26].

On the other hand, the majority of switchers were women, and switchers showed a shorter disease duration, higher PsA severity, and mean duration when compared with non-switchers [24-26]. In particular, female sex has been found to be a predictor of drug discontinuation [53]. Furthermore, current smoking was also found to be an independent predictor of discontinuation of biological therapies [56].

It has been reported that therapy with etanercept, concomitant use of methotrexate, and high CRP levels at the start of therapy are potential predictors associated with the continuation of anti-TNF therapies and overall drug survival [28]. In particular, etanercept has been reported as the most persistent anti-TNF drug, with high survival rates [31, 53]. For patients starting on a bDMARD, a lower number showed one or more therapy changes compared with patients starting on a csDMARD [32]. CsDMARDs combined with biologic agents were shown to reduce the rates of biologic therapy discontinuation [34].

In a recent systematic review by Behrens et al. evaluating evidence on the efficacy and safety of anti-TNFα monotherapy versus add-on methotrexate treatment, it was confirmed that the use of concomitant methotrexate was well tolerated and able to prolong drug survival of TNF inhibitors; however, no significant improvement with combined therapy was found [89]. The authors suggested that a possible therapeutic strategy in PsA patients with inadequate response to methotrexate could be to add an anti-TNFα agent. In case of a good response, methotrexate could be tapered and then possibly withdrawn, or, alternatively, initiation of TNF inhibitor monotherapy could be followed by the addition of methotrexate if a partial response is verified [89].

Drug survival has been shown to be greater in patients receiving methotrexate, mainly patients receiving infliximab [54, 56]. With regard to infliximab, several studies have suggested that after its discontinuation, a longer therapy period before discontinuation could be more effective for maintaining a good clinical response [58]. Drug discontinuation has also been reported to be predicted by older age, in patients older than 60 years, or patients who were treated with infliximab [29]. Treatment courses were significantly shorter in women than in men [41]. Among patients who switched from infliximab to etanercept, a clinical response has been shown in a high percentage of patients [59].

Several studies have highlighted that in PsA patients who started biologics, the production of anti-infliximab and anti-adalimumab, but not anti-etanercept, represents a key determinant for the discontinuation of related therapies [61, 62].

Recently, certolizumab efficacy has been reported at week 96 with both dose regimens and in patients with prior anti-TNF exposure [71].

Different studies have shown that switching from one anti-TNFα agent to another as a result of lack of efficacy may be an alternative in PsA patients. Switching to a second anti-TNF agent as a result of side effects may be reasonable, however switching to a third anti-TNF agent as a result of side effects cannot be recommended [60]. In clinical practice, switching from one anti-TNFα to another has been reported to be a successful strategy in patients who did not response to a previous anti-TNFα [24, 26, 38]. Moreover, in patients with radiographic progression, switching to another biological drug, or combined treatment with a csDMARD, can be considered [28]; however, evidence of increased efficacy of biologic therapy and patient survival by using csDMARDs remains to be more deeply investigated [28].

Studies investigating switching from the originator anti-TNFα agent to a biosimilar molecule in PsA have reported no negative impact on disease activity, but, to date, data are still scarce [75, 76].

In a chart review study, Wolf et al. assessed, in clinical practice, how clinical outcomes may be influenced by switching or discontinuing anti-TNF therapies when not clinically necessary. PsA switchers, and patients who discontinued for non-medical, economic reasons showed a significant worsening of outcomes and increased disease flares when compared with patients who continued taking their anti-TNF agent [90].

The Italian board for the TAilored BIOlogic therapy (ITABIO) has recently reviewed the most consistent studies to indicate the best strategy for second-line biologic choice in patients with PsA [91]. The results of the study showed that patients’ preference, the indication for anti-TNFα monotherapy in fertile women who were potentially childbearing, and the intravenous route associated with dose titration in obese patients were valid [91]. Moreover, the authors suggested that, in patients not responding to the first anti-TNF, the strategy to switch to a second agent is suitable, considering the evidence of adalimumab efficacy in patients showing concomitant uveitis. In addition, the severity of psoriasis, of articular involvement, and the predominance of enthesitis and/or dactylitis may determine a patient’s choice of either ustekinumab or secukinumab in PsA [91].

A recent observational study based on data from the Corrona registry of 520 PsA patients (190 receiving anti-TNFα monotherapy, 217 receiving methotrexate monotherapy, and 113 receiving combined treatment) reported that physicians are unlikely to initiate biologic monotherapy [92].

With regard to switching to another mode of action, data are limited to secukinumab, ustekinumab and ixekizumab trials. In these studies, response to the drug was considered, both in patients naive to anti-TNF agents and those who had not responded to such treatment. All trials confirm their efficacy, both in TNF-naive patients and those previously treated [80, 83, 84].

In particular, switching from anti-TNF agents to ustekinumab, secukinumab and apremilast can be considered a valid alternative therapeutic strategy in patients with previous exposure to anti-TNFα agents [81, 82, 86].

In a recent review by Merola et al., PsA treatment recommendations from different groups, rheumatology societies, and organizations were evaluated for identifying consensus guidelines on switching between bDMARDs. The results of this study showed that switching bDMARD therapies is a recommended strategy for patients who experience treatment failure [93]. The authors highlighted that switching between anti-TNFα agents can be effective for many patients, but bDMARDs with different mechanisms of action may be a better therapeutic strategy alternative [92].

Rheumatology is a field that is constantly progressing, and pathogenetic aspects, as well as the clinical spectrum of inflammatory manifestations, represent domains still to be fully clarified [94, 95]. Due to peculiar PsA pathogenetic and clinical aspects, further studies on cytokines other than TNFα, as well as studies on molecular pathways, could elucidate treatment patterns [96-98].

In case of adverse events related to biologic agents, or inefficacy or lack of efficacy, no specific biological agent has been demonstrated to be more effective than others. The decision to switch to another drug should mainly be made according to the drug’s safety profile, its comorbidities, previous therapy, and the patients’ preferences (e.g. administration time and route). Evidence suggests complex and variable treatment patterns for bDMARDs in PsA patients. Discontinuation or switching of biological agents due to tolerability issues or lack of efficacy is quite common, as is loss of efficacy over time.

Although most of the available evidence is related to the effectiveness of switching among the approved TNF inhibitors, emerging RCT data on ustekinumab and apremilast in patients with prior anti-TNF exposure seem to be promising.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory arthropathy associated with psoriasis, in which the recognition of different cytokines has changed the therapeutic approach.

Different studies have shown the efficacy and safety of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in PsA, but discontinuation or switching is quite common.

Data indicate that the main reason for switching to a second anti-TNFα agent is represented by lack of effect, followed by inefficacy and, more rarely, adverse events.