# Efficacy and safety of vunakizumab in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis patients with different body mass index: a post hoc analysis based on a phase III trial

## TL;DR

This study found that vunakizumab treatment for plaque psoriasis is more effective in patients with a lower body mass index.

## Contribution

The study reveals that lower BMI correlates with better treatment outcomes and quality of life in psoriasis patients treated with vunakizumab.

## Key findings

- Lower BMI was associated with higher PASI and sPGA response rates in psoriasis patients treated with vunakizumab.
- Patients with lower BMI had higher serum concentrations of vunakizumab and better quality of life outcomes.
- Adverse event rates were similar across BMI groups in vunakizumab-treated psoriasis patients.

## Abstract

Vunakizumab is effective and safe for treating moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis patients. This post hoc analysis was intended to assess the effects of vunakizumab in patients with different body mass index (BMI).

In the phase III trial of vunakizumab (NCT04839016), 461 moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis patients receiving vunakizumab were enrolled and categorized into baseline BMI<24 kg/m2 (N = 179), 24≤BMI<28 kg/m2 (N = 183), and BMI≥28 kg/m2 (N = 99) groups. At least 75% improvement from baseline in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75), PASI 90, PASI 100, static physician’s global assessment (sPGA) 0/1, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), serum concentration of vunakizumab, and adverse events from week 0 (W0)-W52 were recorded.

A lower BMI was associated with higher W0--W12 accumulating PASI 75, PASI 90, PASI 100, and sPGA 0/1 response rates. From W0--W52, a lower BMI was associated with higher PASI 75, PASI 90, and PASI 100 scores at most time points and was related to sPGA 0/1 response rates from W4--W48. With respect to PROs, higher BMI was related to increased mean dermatology life quality index scores at several time points but was not associated with the mean worst itch numerical rating scale, EuroQoL-5D (EQ-5D) utility index, EQ-5D visual analog scale score, or short form-36 mental/physical component score. A lower BMI was related to a higher mean serum concentration of vunakizumab. The incidences of any adverse events and most specific adverse events did not differ among the groups.

A lower BMI is associated with a greater treatment response and quality of life in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis patients receiving vunakizumab.