Cycling to TNFi vs. Switching to IL-17Ai Among Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis and Axial Spondyloarthritis: Real-World CorEvitas PsA/SpA Registry Data

Adv Ther. 2026 May;43(5):2139-2162. doi: 10.1007/s12325-026-03531-5. Epub 2026 Mar 12.

Abstract

Introduction: Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFis) are a common first-line treatment option for patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) with persistent disease activity despite conventional treatment. There is limited real-world evidence available to inform selection of therapy after first TNFi failure.

Methods: This study compares the effectiveness of cycling to a second TNFi versus switching to an interleukin-17A inhibitor (IL-17Ai) at 6-month follow-up, among patients with PsA and axSpA who discontinued a first TNFi. Patients were stratified into two groups: those who (1) initiated a second TNFi (cyclers) and (2) initiated an IL-17Ai (switchers). Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to account for baseline differences between cyclers and switchers. Separate models were fit for the PsA and axSpA cohorts.

Results: The PsA cohort included 277 (59%) cyclers and 194 (41%) switchers. Prior to IPTW, switchers demonstrated greater improvement (- 4.1 [95% confidence interval (CI) - 5.6, - 2.5]) in the primary outcome of change from baseline (CFB) in the Clinical Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis (cDAPSA) versus cyclers. Post IPTW, switchers showed greater improvements across most secondary outcomes, and significantly greater improvements in Physician Global Assessment (PhGA) of arthritis and psoriasis (- 5.0 [95% CI - 9.3, - 0.8], p = 0.021) and non-work activity impairment (- 4.7 [95% CI - 9.2, - 0.2], p = 0.039). The axSpA cohort included 119 (69%) cyclers and 53 (31%) switchers. Prior to IPTW, switchers demonstrated greater improvement (- 0.7 [95% CI - 1.2, - 0.2]) in the primary outcome of CFB in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) versus cyclers. Post IPTW, switchers showed significantly greater improvement in patient fatigue (- 9.4 [95% CI - 15.8, - 3.1], p = 0.004) and numerically greater improvements across remaining secondary outcomes.

Conclusion: Switching to IL-17Ai vs. cycling to another TNFi provided similar or numerically improved outcomes in both cohorts, underscoring the importance of considering alternative mechanisms of action for these patients.

Keywords: Axial spondyloarthritis; Effectiveness; IL-17Ai; Psoriatic arthritis; Real-world evidence; TNFi.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antirheumatic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Arthritis, Psoriatic* / drug therapy
  • Axial Spondyloarthritis* / drug therapy
  • Drug Substitution
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-17* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Registries
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors* / therapeutic use
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Interleukin-17
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha