New research finds adalimumab biosimilars are effective and safe in treating paediatric psoriasis across both treatment-naive patients and those who switch from the originator adalimumab.
Many adalimumab biosimilars are approved to treat the same conditions as their originator (brand name Humira), and they have been used safely and effectively in patients with psoriasis. However, the performance of adalimumab biosimilars in children with psoriasis is unknown.
A new study addresses this knowledge gap by evaluating outcomes in children who initiated biosimilar therapy directly, as well as those who switched from the originator adalimumab.
The 52-week study is an observational, retrospective study, involving patients enrolled across 10 clinical sites in Italy, Portugal and France. All patients started biosimilars after January 2022, and the activity of their psoriasis was measured using the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), as well as safety data, at Weeks 16, 24 and 52 following adalimumab biosimilar initiation. Absolute PASI scores were measured, as well as PASI 75 and PASI 90, which indicate the improvement in psoriasis of 75% and 90%, respectively.
Adalimumab biosimilars safe and effective for paediatric psoriasis
A total of 102 paediatric patients with psoriasis participated in the study, with 72 being biosimilar-naive and 30 switching from the originator adalimumab.
In both paediatric patient cohorts, the median absolute PASI remained low at Weeks 16, 24, and 52. In the naive group, the absolute PASI decreased over time, from 5.4 at Week 16 to 2.8 by Week 52. PASI 75 was achieved by 77.8% of patients, and PASI 90 by 46.3% of patients at Week 52.
Patients in the switch group showed lower PASI scores throughout, starting at 2.6 at Week 16 and decreasing to 1.4 by Week 52. Those who switched to adalimumab biosimilars achieved higher PASI 75 and PASI 90 response rates of 92.6% and 55.6%, respectively, at Week 52.
The researchers concluded that adalimumab biosimilars are a safe and effective treatment option for children with psoriasis, and the study supports the use of biosimilars as viable alternatives to originator adalimumab in paediatric psoriasis.
Switching from the originator adalimumab did not result in a loss of efficacy or an increased safety risk for most patients. In fact, adverse events were infrequent, and no treatment-emergent serious adverse effects were reported.
This approach makes treatment available to more people and provides an affordable option for healthcare systems, the researchers said.
Larger and longer studies are needed, and future research should examine the individual differences between biosimilars and explore a cost analysis of potential changes, they added.
Reference
Bertoli C et al. Effectiveness and Safety of Adalimumab Biosimilars in Pediatric Psoriasis: A Multi-Center International Experience. Psoriasis: Targets and Therapy 2025;15:233-241.
