For people with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, sticking with the same biologic drug has been the standard. But a new study suggests that switching between the original adalimumab (Humira) and its biosimilar version, adalimumab-atto, may be just as good.
The trial involved 425 adults across 85 centers. Some patients continued using the original adalimumab, while others switched back and forth between the original and the biosimilar. The researchers measured drug levels in the blood and found that the two groups had very similar concentrations. The ratios for both AUC and Cmax fell within the predefined range (0.8 to 1.25), meaning the drugs behaved similarly in the body.
Safety was also comparable. No new or concerning side effects emerged, and the number of people who stopped treatment was similar between groups. The study lasted 28 weeks, with a 12-week lead-in and a 16-week double-blind period.
While these results support the idea that adalimumab-atto can be used interchangeably with the original, the study focused on drug levels, not long-term clinical outcomes. More research is needed to confirm that switching doesn't affect how well the drug works over time.