Alan J. Kivitz, MD: Phase 2b Data on TAK-279 for Psoriatic Arthritis

In his interview with the HCPLive editorial team, Alan J. Kivitz, MD, MACR, spoke about his team’s phase 2b findings on the efficacy and safety outcomes of the selective oral tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor TAK-279 for patients with active psoriatic arthritis.

Kivitz is known for his work as president and founder of Altoona Center for Clinical Research and of Altoona Arthritis & Osteoporosis Center. His team's research here was presented at the American College of Rheumatology’s 2023 Convergence in San Diego, California.

“So the study design was looking at a novel oral TYK2-inhibitor that was studied in patients who had psoriatic arthritis who met the so called CASPAR criteria for psoriatic arthritis with active disease, and it was a dose ranging phase 2 clinical trial looking at benefit in safety,” Kivitz explained.

Kivitiz was also asked about the key findings as well as anything unexpected from the trial’s results.

“I think the key findings is that the five milligrams group had a tiny signal, but was not efficacious enough to go forward,” Kivitz said. “Fifteen milligrams clearly had efficacy in its primary outcome of ACR 20 and secondary outcomes were also differentiating. The 30 milligram group for TAK-279, the name of the product, showed the most superior efficacy for psoriasis. So for example, PASI 90.”

He noted that whereas the 15 milligram and the 30 milligram group were shown to be a bit more similar regarding arthritis outcomes, the psoriasis outcomes were clearly differentiated with a higher dose.

“I think there's a lot of interest in the category in general of TYK2 inhibitors,” Kivitz said. “So there are others in development. It's an oral molecule. It has a safety profile that seems to differentiate from the JAK inhibitors, even though TYK2 is the fourth JAK. In this clinical trial, there were no safety concerns of serious nature. There were, however, safety findings with regard to mucocutaneous manifestation. So for example, skin rashes and mouth ulcers. Patients didn't discontinue because of it. But that was something to be aware of as a finding in the clinical trial.”

To learn more, view Kivitz’s full interview segment posted above.

The quotes used in this summary were edited for clarity.