New data from the Phase 3b Together-PsA clinical trial indicates that the concurrent administration of ixekizumab (an IL-17A antagonist) and tirzepatide (a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist) significantly improves health outcomes for adults living with both active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and obesity.
Key findings from the 36-week study include:
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Clinical benchmarks: Approximately 31.7% of participants receiving the dual-drug regimen achieved both a 50% reduction in arthritis activity (ACR50) and a minimum of 10% body weight loss. In contrast, only 0.8% of those treated with ixekizumab alone met these combined criteria.
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Synergistic effect: The inclusion of tirzepatide led to a 64% relative increase in the proportion of patients reaching the ACR50 milestone compared to monotherapy. This suggests that managing body mass can effectively lower the overall burden of psoriatic disease.
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Safety profile: Observed adverse events were generally categorized as mild to moderate, aligning with the established safety data for each individual medication.
The trial involved 271 patients, over 60% of whom had previously undergone advanced therapies without success. Given that an estimated 65% of American adults with PsA are also overweight or obese, these results support a shift toward integrated treatment models. Comprehensive data from this study are expected to be shared with regulatory bodies and presented at upcoming medical forums.