The ICONIC-LEAD phase 3 trial (NCT06095115) evaluated the oral interleukin-23 inhibitor icotrokinra for treating moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adolescents (≥12 years) and adults. A subgroup analysis of 66 adolescent patients revealed compelling results, with 84.1% of icotrokinra-treated adolescents achieving Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) scores of 0/1 (clear or almost clear skin), and 70.5% achieving Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 90 at week 16, compared to 27.3% and 13.6% in the placebo group, respectively.
By week 24, improvements were sustained: 86.4% of icotrokinra-treated adolescents achieved IGA scores of 0/1, 75% achieved IGA 0, and 88.6% reached PASI 90, with 63.3% achieving PASI 100. In contrast, placebo-treated adolescents showed minimal improvement.
These results highlight the potential of icotrokinra for achieving complete skin clearance in adolescents with plaque psoriasis. Importantly, no new safety concerns were observed in this subgroup. Liza O’Dowd, Vice President at Johnson & Johnson, emphasized the potential of icotrokinra to offer a favorable safety profile and effective treatment in a once-daily oral form for adolescents with moderate to severe psoriasis.
