Real-Life Experience with Tildrakizumab in Plaque Psoriasis with Palmoplantar Involvement: A Multi-Center Retrospective Italian Study

Introduction: Palmoplantar psoriasis (PPp) has a profound negative impact on patients' quality of life, and it represents a therapeutic challenge, as palms and soles are difficult to treat area. Although the efficacy profile of tildrakizumab has been well evaluated in the literature, data on its use for PPp are still limited. The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tildrakizumab on moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis with involvement of the palmoplantar area.

Methods: A multicenter, retrospective, real-life study was performed enrolling patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis involving the palmoplantar area undergoing treatment with tildrakizumab with a follow-up of at least 52 weeks. At baseline, demographic and clinical data were assessed. Psoriasis severity was evaluated by using Psoriasis Activity Severity Index (PASI), body surface area (BSA), Psoriasis Global Assessment (PGA), Pruritus-Numerical Rating Scale (P-NRS) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Palmoplantar PASI (ppPASI) was used to evaluate psoriasis severity in the palmoplantar region. Clinical improvement was evaluated at each follow-up visit [week (W) 4, 16, 52].

Results: A total of 99 patients were enrolled. A reduction in PASI, BSA, PGA, P-NRS and DLQI was observed at each time point. Mean ppPASI at baseline was 16.9 ± 13.2, which started to improve at W4 (8.9 ± 9.1) and continued to decrease at W16 (2.1 ± 3.1) and W52 (0.5 ± 1.0). Moreover, a sub-analysis showed that the probability of achieving ppPASI50 at W4 increased in case of nail psoriasis (p < 0.05) and decreased in bio-experienced patients (p < 0.001). Similarly, the probability of achieving ppPASI75 at W4 decreased in the case of prior biologic exposure (p < 0.05). Finally, patients with nail psoriasis showed a higher probability of reaching ppPASI75 at W16 (p < 0.05), whereas patients previously treated with systemic therapies for psoriasis reported a reduced probability of ppPASI75 achievement at this time point (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Tildrakizumab was shown to be a fast and effective treatment for patients with PPp, being able to achieve significant results already after only 4 weeks of treatment. Moreover, the identification of potential clinical factors predictive of response may improve the selection of the best treatment in patients with PPp.