Bimekizumab Significantly Reduces Uveitis Incidence in axSpA Patients
The study led by Matthew A. Brown, Genomics England, London, United Kingdom, and Martin Rudwaleit, Klinikum Bielefeld, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany.
Patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) treated with bimekizumab exhibited a markedly lower incidence of uveitis compared to those receiving placebo. This finding emerged from an analysis of pooled clinical trial data, highlighting the potential protective effects of bimekizumab against uveitis in this patient population.
Study Methodology and Data Pooling
Researchers evaluated uveitis incidence using data from two phase 3 trials, a phase 2b trial, and their respective open-label extensions. The analysis included 349 patients who received bimekizumab 160 mg and 237 patients on placebo during a 16-week double-blind period. Additionally, 848 patients received at least one dose of bimekizumab in the overall phase 2b/3 pool.
Key Outcomes: Reduced Uveitis Rates
The study found that only 0.6% of patients treated with bimekizumab experienced uveitis over 16 weeks, compared to 4.6% of those on placebo (P = .001). In patients with a prior history of uveitis, the incidence rate was significantly lower in the bimekizumab group compared to placebo (6.2 vs. 70.4 per 100 patient-years). The exposure-adjusted incidence rate (EAIR) of uveitis was also lower among patients without a history of uveitis.
Clinical Implications
These findings suggest that bimekizumab, a dual IL-17A/F inhibitor, may offer protective benefits against uveitis in patients with axSpA, particularly those with a history of the condition. This positions bimekizumab as a promising therapeutic option for managing uveitis risk in axSpA patients.
Study Limitations and Considerations
The study relied on spontaneous reporting of uveitis events, with limited ophthalmologist evaluations. The double-blind treatment period was relatively short, and the number of patients with acute anterior uveitis was small. Long-term placebo comparisons were also not available beyond the 16-week period.
Research Support and Disclosures
The pooled data analysis was supported by UCB Pharma, with some authors reporting financial ties to the company. Several authors were also employees and shareholders of UCB Pharma.
