Idacio Biosimilar Shows Higher Retention Rates and Comparable Cost-Effectiveness in Psoriasis Treatment

Martina Maurelli, MD

Credit: LinkedIn

In a recent study assessing the cost per responder of adalimumab biosimilars as compared with methotrexate for psoriasis treatment, data indicated that MSB11022 (Idacio) showed higher retention rates than both ABP 501 (Amgevita) and methotrexate at week 24 and week 52.

Idacio also demonstrated a comparable cost per responder to methotrexate at week 52, suggesting similar cost-effectiveness between the treatments.

The real-world investigation included 712 adult patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis. Between January 2021 and December 2022, a total of 160 patients were treated with Amgevita, 250 with Idacio, and 302 with methotrexate.

Martina Maurelli, MD, Section of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, and a team of investigators evaluated the number of patients still participating in the treatment at weeks 24 and 52 as the clinical efficacy measures. At week 24, the retention rates were 86% for Amgevita, 90% for Idacio, and 78% for methotrexate.

The results showed at week 52, the retention rates were 81% for Amgevita, 82% for Idacio, and 63% for methotrexate.

The team calculated the cost per responder at week 24 and week 52. At week 24, the cost per responder was €674 for Amgevita, €366 for Idacio, and €264 for methotrexate. Moving to week 52, the cost per responder increased to €1430 for Amgevita, €799 for Idacio, and €652 for methotrexate.

Based on the reported retention rates, Amgevita and Idacio exhibited higher rates than methotrexate at both week 24 and week 52 suggesting adalimumab biosimilars provided superior treatment persistence among patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

When considering the cost per responder, Idacio stood out as a compelling option. At week 52, the cost-effectiveness of Idacio was comparable to that of subcutaneous methotrexate. Investigators explained that as a biosimilar alternative, Idacio can offer similar therapeutic benefits to methotrexate while potentially reducing treatment costs.

These findings shed light on the cost-effectiveness of adalimumab biosimilars and how they line up with methotrexate in real-life settings. The study stated it is important to note that the real-life cost-effectiveness of biosimilar drugs is significantly influenced by discount rates.

It is important to acknowledge that the study had certain limitations, such as being conducted in a specific setting and focusing on a particular patient population. The team stated further research is needed to validate these findings and assess the long-term sustainability and overall impact of biosimilar adoption in psoriasis management.

“In conclusion, adalimumab biosimilar offer a cheap treatment option for patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis,” investigators wrote. “The possibility of treating patients earlier with an effective and safe treatments is relevant to possibly modify the disease course and prevent the develop of psoriatic arthritis.”

References:

1. Martina Maurelli, Giampiero Girolomoni & Paolo Gisondi (2023) Cost per responder of adalimumab biosimilars versus methotrexate in patients with psoriasis: a real-life experience, Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 34:1, DOI: 10.1080/09546634.2023.2218504