Effectiveness of Bimekizumab in Multi-Failure Psoriatic Patients: A Retrospective, Real-World Multicenter Study.

Background/

Objectives

Patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis who experience inadequate response or loss of efficacy to multiple biologic agents ("multi-failure patients") represent a particularly challenging subgroup in clinical practice. Evidence regarding the efficacy of bimekizumab in this setting is still limited. This multicentre, real-life study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and treatment persistence of bimekizumab in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis who had failed at least two previous biologic therapies.

Methods

This multicentre, retrospective, real-life study across Italian referral centers retrospectively collected clinical data from 33 adult patients with plaque psoriasis treated with bimekizumab across Italian referral centers. Efficacy was assessed through changes in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores at weeks 4 and 16. Logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of treatment response, and Kaplan-Meier analysis evaluated drug survival up to 12 months.

Results

The mean baseline PASI was 14.5 ± 7.1, decreasing to 1.5 ± 4.0 at week 16 (p < 0.001). PASI90 and PASI100 responses were achieved by 57.6% and 42.4% of patients at this timepoint, respectively, while mean DLQI improved by 84.2%. In this small cohort, no significant differences in efficacy were observed according to the number or class of prior biologic failures. Genital psoriasis was associated with a lower likelihood of achieving PASI100. Adverse events were generally mild to moderate in severity and manageable in routine clinical practice. No discontinuations occurred due to lack of efficacy; all withdrawals were related to mild adverse events or personal reasons. Twelve-month drug survival reached 85.4% (95% CI 63.8-100).

Conclusions

Bimekizumab demonstrated rapid, marked, and sustained clinical improvements with a favorable safety profile in multi-failure psoriasis patients. These findings support its role as an effective and well-tolerated therapeutic option for individuals with highly refractory disease in real-life practice.