Eli Lilly's Breakthrough in Treating Arthritis: Zepbound Showcased as Potential Game-Changer
A recent clinical trial has revealed that a weight loss drug, Zepbound (tirzepatide), can be an effective add-on treatment for psoriatic arthritis. The results, released by Eli Lilly on Friday, demonstrate the potential of an integrated treatment approach to improve the standard of care in treating this chronic condition.
The TOGETHER-PsA trial involved 271 people with active psoriatic arthritis who were overweight or obese. Half received ixekizumab (Taltz), while the other half received Taltz plus Zepbound. By week 36, patients taking the combination therapy experienced a significantly greater reduction in arthritis symptoms - a 64% relative improvement compared to those taking Taltz alone.
Moreover, patients on the combination therapy also witnessed substantial weight loss, with about 10% of participants experiencing at least this amount by week 36, far surpassing the 0.8% seen in the Taltz-only group.
Mark Genovese, senior vice president of Lilly Immunology development, hailed the results as a "comprehensive way" to improve care for patients with psoriatic arthritis. Meanwhile, Joseph Merola, chair of dermatology and professor of rheumatology at the University of Texas Southwestern, stated that PsA appears to be an obesity-related condition, emphasizing the potential benefits of addressing weight in conjunction with treatment.
The discovery has significant implications for the future of treating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. GLP-1 drugs have already revolutionized obesity treatment, with tirzepatide outperforming semaglutide in clinical trials. Eli Lilly's expansion of Zepbound's approval to obstructive sleep apnea is a testament to its growing potential.
However, the findings must undergo peer review and regulatory scrutiny before they can be widely adopted. Nevertheless, the research holds promise for transforming treatment regimens for patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
A recent clinical trial has revealed that a weight loss drug, Zepbound (tirzepatide), can be an effective add-on treatment for psoriatic arthritis. The results, released by Eli Lilly on Friday, demonstrate the potential of an integrated treatment approach to improve the standard of care in treating this chronic condition.
The TOGETHER-PsA trial involved 271 people with active psoriatic arthritis who were overweight or obese. Half received ixekizumab (Taltz), while the other half received Taltz plus Zepbound. By week 36, patients taking the combination therapy experienced a significantly greater reduction in arthritis symptoms - a 64% relative improvement compared to those taking Taltz alone.
Moreover, patients on the combination therapy also witnessed substantial weight loss, with about 10% of participants experiencing at least this amount by week 36, far surpassing the 0.8% seen in the Taltz-only group.
Mark Genovese, senior vice president of Lilly Immunology development, hailed the results as a "comprehensive way" to improve care for patients with psoriatic arthritis. Meanwhile, Joseph Merola, chair of dermatology and professor of rheumatology at the University of Texas Southwestern, stated that PsA appears to be an obesity-related condition, emphasizing the potential benefits of addressing weight in conjunction with treatment.
The discovery has significant implications for the future of treating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. GLP-1 drugs have already revolutionized obesity treatment, with tirzepatide outperforming semaglutide in clinical trials. Eli Lilly's expansion of Zepbound's approval to obstructive sleep apnea is a testament to its growing potential.
However, the findings must undergo peer review and regulatory scrutiny before they can be widely adopted. Nevertheless, the research holds promise for transforming treatment regimens for patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.