Bimekizumab efficacy across GRAPPA domains to 3 years in patients with psoriatic arthritis: a post hoc analysis of two phase 3 studies
In brief
After 3 years, bimekizumab cleared skin psoriasis in 65% with psoriatic arthritis
In pooled phase 3 studies and an open-label extension, 1,112 patients treated with bimekizumab had sustained improvements across psoriatic arthritis symptoms and skin and nail disease; 64.6% had complete skin clearance at 3 years. The post hoc analysis had no comparison group, and rare uveitis and bowel disease events cannot establish the drug's effect on those conditions.
- Journal
- Rheumatology (Oxford, England) (Q1)
- Published
- 10 October 2026
- Study design
- Non-randomized / quasi-experimental trial
- Evidence level
- Level 2, Moderate (CEBM 2b)
- Authors
- Atul Deodhar, Alice B Gottlieb, Joseph F Merola, Enrique R Soriano, Laura C Coates, Barbara Ink, et al.
- PMID
- 42860055
- DOI
- 10.1093/rheumatology/keag557
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Dermatology (paper of the day, 12 October 2026): Long‑term bimekizumab efficacy in psoriatic arthritis
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of bimekizumab in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) across the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) domains, PsA-related conditions, and comorbidities. METHODS: Post hoc analysis of pooled data from BE OPTIMAL (NCT03895203; biologic-naïve patients) and BE COMPLETE (NCT03896581; patients with prior inadequate response/intolerance to tumour necrosis factor inhibitors) phase 3 studies, and their open-label extension BE VITAL (NCT04009499), which assessed subcutaneous bimekizumab 160 mg every 4 weeks in patients with active PsA. Efficacy was assessed to 3 years (Week 148) across GRAPPA core domains, PsA-related conditions (inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] and uveitis), and inflammatory markers of cardiovascular risk. RESULTS: Among 1,112 bimekizumab-treated patients with PsA, improvements were sustained across the GRAPPA core domains to 3 years. Resolution of swollen and tender joint count at 3 years was achieved by 59.2% and 34.6% of patients, respectively, while 54.8% achieved ≥50% improvement from baseline in American College of Rheumatology response criteria (modified non-responder imputation [mNRI]). Enthesitis (LEI=0) and dactylitis (LDI=0) resolution was also achieved by 56.6% (mNRI) and 68.6% (NRI) of patients, respectively. A high proportion of patients achieved skin and nail psoriasis clearance (PASI100: 64.6%; mNAPSI=0: 68.0%; mNRI). IBD and uveitis events were rare, and inflammatory cardiovascular risk marker improvements were sustained. CONCLUSION: Bimekizumab provided long-term, sustained disease control across GRAPPA domains and systemic inflammation markers in patients with PsA, with low rates of IBD and uveitis, supporting its use as a long-term treatment for the heterogeneous manifestations of PsA. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: BE OPTIMAL: NCT03895203; BE COMPLETE: NCT03896581; BE VITAL: NCT04009499.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.