Risankizumab in Adults with Psoriatic Arthritis.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory musculoskeletal disease associated with psoriasis. Its major clinical domains include peripheral and axial arthritis, enthesitis, dactylitis and skin and nail involvement. Approximately 30% of patients with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis. The pathophysiology of PsA is complex and involves a dysregulated immune response. In particular, interleukin (IL)-23 is a major regulatory cytokine that has been implicated in PsA, including bone remodeling, enthesitis, synovitis and psoriatic lesions. Risankizumab is a humanized immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody that targets the p19 subunit of IL-23. It has been approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and, more recently, PsA. The efficacy and safety of risankizumab for the treatment of PsA has been demonstrated in phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials. Risankizumab showed efficacy in decreasing the number of swollen and tender joints, clearing psoriatic plaque and improving quality of life. Treatment with risankizumab was well-tolerated, with the most common adverse event being upper respiratory tract infection. Overall, the current literature demonstrates that risankizumab is both a safe and effective therapeutic option for the treatment of PsA. Herein, week 24 and 52 results are reviewed.