Common therapies used in the treatment of psoriasis may help reduce coronary plaque, according to a study presented April 26 at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) 2018 Scientific Sessions in San Diego.
The study is the first-in-human trial to examine the short-term relationship between FDA-approved treatment and coronary plaque.
The researchers, led by Nehal N. Mehta, MD, from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, found psoriasis treatments reduce the volume of plaque. Additionally, they found, the plaque becomes less inflammatory over time.
Recent evidence has demonstrated a significant reduction in adverse cardiovascular events targeting interleukin-1 beta (IL1B), a cytokine essential to the inflammatory response.
The researchers evaluated 80 middle-aged patients, who had a low cardiovascular risk and were taking FDA -approved immunomodulatory treatment options for psoriasis. They were stratified by biologic and nonbiologic treatments. Non-calcified burden, plaque volume, and maximal artery stenosis in the proximal vessels were assessed based on coronary CT angiography.
They found a decrease in coronary plaque of 40 percent after one year, which was not present in those patients without treatment. The authors noted trends in non-calcified burden were significant with proximal vessels in both biologic and nonbiologic groups. Change in plaque volume was positively associated with a change in IL1B—before and after adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors and statin use.
“To see a reduction in coronary plaque after just one year of biologic therapy alone is incredible and very assuring. It’s the first time we’re seeing treatment of a skin disease with biologic therapy have an impact specifically on plaque in the coronary,” Mehta said. “Our study results further emphasize the importance of patients maintaining and treating psoriasis to decrease the risks of adverse cardiovascular events occurring. This also opens the door for us to look at other disease states and see how anti-inflammatory therapy options could impact coronary plaque over time.”
The authors said randomized studies are needed to confirm their observational findings. Additional studies will help researchers better understand how treatment with anti-inflammatory medications decreases coronary plaque volume over time.
As a senior news writer for TriMed, Subrata covers cardiology, clinical innovation and healthcare business. She has a master’s degree in communication management and 12 years of experience in journalism and public relations.