Certolizumab safety and efficacy in clinical practice

A retrospective, multicenter, observational study of certolizumab pegol treatment in patients with plaque psoriasis has been published in the International Journal of Dermatology by Sahuquillo-Torralba et al.¹ A total of 67 patients were evaluated in the study and were observed from the first dose of certolizumab until the date of the first missed dose.¹ 

Absolute PASI <3 was achieved in 69%, 86%, and 92% of patients receiving certolizumab at Weeks 12, 24, and 52, respectively, with a drug survival rate of 85% in the first year. 

21% of patients discontinued certolizumab, the majority due to lack/loss of effectiveness. 

In 14 patients who initiated treatment during pregnancy and/or lactation, there were no recorded adverse events at the time of delivery or in the neonatal period, supporting guidelines that recommend the use of certolizumab as a first-line choice of biologic for patients planning pregnancy or breastfeeding.