Abstract
Introduction
This is an Italian single-center retrospective study evaluating safety and efficacy of biologic agents in psoriatic patients with a previous diagnosis of malignant cancer.
Aim
Management of moderate and severe psoriasis patients with a past medical history of malignancies could be difficult because biologic agents are historically associated with a presumptive increased risk of neoplastic reactivation or of a new incoming cancer. The aim of this study is to assess the safety of biologics in patients with a previous cancer diagnosis.
Material and methods
The study analyzed 16 moderate to severe psoriasis patients with a diagnosis of malignant cancer in the previous 10 years treated with biologic agents for up to at least 96 weeks. In five of these patients, cancer was diagnosed in the previous 5 years.
Results
We observed a rapid decrease in PASI (psoriasis area severity index) reaching a 90% improvement in 100% of patients. Oncologic follow up did not show any worsening or reactivation of cancer during the entire observation period. No new malignancies were observed in the analyzed sample.
Conclusions
Biologic agents in our experience have demonstrated to be safe and effective in psoriatic patients with a past medical history of malignant cancer.
Disclosure statement
MV, GP, LG and PF have nothing to declare. FS received honoraria from Abbvie. RGB received consulting fees from Abbvie, Almirall, ADC therapeutics and received grants from Celgene. AC has served on advisory boards, received honoraria for lectures and research grants from Almirall, Abbvie, Galderma, Leo Pharma, Celgene, UCB, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Janssen, Novartis, Sanofi‐Genzyme and MSD. AN has served on advisory boards, received honoraria for lectures and research grants from Almirall, Abbvie, Leo Pharma, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Sanofi‐Genzyme, Amgen and Boehringer Ingelheim.