Stelara (ustekinumab) has been found to be more effective than with Enbrel (etanercept) in the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
Authors of a study published in the latest edition of the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that Stelara, which is yet to be listed on the PBS, was more effective in 45mg or 90mg doses than high doses of Enbrel over a 12-week period.
Stelara's higher efficacy levels over that period, the researchers noted, were achieved with only two injections, compared with twice-weekly injections of Enbrel.
"This study provides important comparative efficacy information about the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis with two biologic agents," said study leader Professor Christopher Griffiths, from the University of Manchester in the UK.
"We observed a substantial proportion of patients achieving high levels of skin clearance with ustekinumab, both through the study's primary endpoint at week 12 and following crossover from etanercept, including in those patients who showed a lack of response to etanercept during the study."
Researchers found a 75 per cent improvement in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) in patients receiving 45mg doses of Stelara and 73.8 per cent in those taking 90mg doses, compared with 56.8 per cent in those taking Enbrel.
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee recommended the PBS listing of Stelara at its last meeting in November "on the basis of an acceptable cost-effectiveness ratio compared with etanercept".