Golimumab in Patients Affected by Moderate to Severe Psoriatic Arthritis: An Open-Label Study in Thirty-Two Patients Previously Treated with Other Biologics

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of golimumab (GLB) in improving the signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of GLB in monotherapy in patients affected by PsA with cutaneous involvement unresponsive to other anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) agents. METHODS: This study included 32 patients treated with GLB as monotherapy, at a dosage of 50 mg, subcutaneously, every 4 weeks. Patients were divided into 3 groups (A, B, and C) according to their number of previous anti-TNF-α treatments (1, 2, or 3). Clinical and laboratory evaluations were performed at weeks 0, 12, and 24. RESULTS: All patients showed significant improvement of their clinical, inflammatory, and quality of life indexes. CONCLUSION: Data suggest that GLB can be successful and safe in patients affected by PsA with skin involvement previously treated with other anti-TNF-α agents.