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Biologics in dermatology

Biologics – what are they? Biologics are drugs produced by means of biotechnology, which are becoming increasingly important in healthcare. Biologics counteract immune system dysregulation by inhibiting specific receptors and immune cells.

The protein substances are therefore suitable for the treatment of dermatological diseases, including psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.

In Germany, sales of biologics have risen by around EUR 1 billion in each of the past few years, reaching a volume of EUR 12.4 billion in 2018.1

Table of Contents

An emerging Biosimilar market in Germany

Looking at the sales of the Biosimilars-market in Germany, an increase in the Biosimilars shares can be observed from 32.2% in December 2018 to 48.2% in January 2020 (Fig. 1).1 By December 2020, the Biosimilar share further increased to 51%.2

Fig. 1: Dynamics of the German Biosimilar Market; modified after 1 

 

The proportion of biosimilars in dermatology

The share of biosimilars is also comparatively high for the active ingredients relevant to dermatology: 

In December 2020, infliximab took a 78.2% share of biosimilar sales, etanercept 71.6%, and adalimumab 55.6%.2 

Biologics for the treatment of psoriasis

Pathogenesis of psoriasis

In the following section, the pathogenesis of psoriasis will be discussed in more detail, since the biologics used for treatment intervene here by inhibiting individual cytokines. 

What triggers psoriasis flare-ups?

Both innate and adaptive immune processes are involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis (Fig. 2). After activation by certain trigger factors (e.g. pathogens, drugs), keratinocytes release mediators of the innate immune defense. These may be, for example, antimicrobial peptides or chemokines.

Adaptive immune pulses

For example, the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin LL-37 can activate dendritic cells, triggering adaptive immune processes. After activation, dendritic cells release TNF-α and IL-23 in particular.

The release of IL-23 promotes the differentiation of naïve T cells into Th17 cells, which play a key role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Upon activation, Th17 cells produce various proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, and TNF-α.

Cytokines psoriasis

These cytokines promote immigration of other immune cells and hyperproliferation of keratinocytes. Dendritic cells also ensure differentiation of naïve T cells into Th1 cells by releasing IL-12, which produce IFN-γ, among others.3,4

Fig. 2: Main sequence of psoriasis pathogenesis; modified after 3 

The latest agents

Which biologics are available? The following substances are currently available (as of September 2021):

Prescription guidelines of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians for the treatment of psoriasis

In order to reduce pharmaceutical expenditures, prescriptions are increasingly regulated by target quotas of the Associations of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians German: Kassenärztliche Vereinigungen). The minimum biosimilar quotas are particularly important in the treatment of psoriasis with biologicals. 

Most KVs have set minimum biosimilar quotas for the entire group of TNF-alpha inhibitors. In 2021, for example, these are 80% for dermatologists in North Rhine and 67.5% in Saxony.5,6 In Saarland, a minimum biosimilar quota for adalimumab of 80% applies to dermatologists.7

More information: KV quota check on biologicals on the DeutschenArztPortal

Author

Rp. Institute / DeutschesArztPortal.de info@rpinstitut.com

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Bibliography

  1. IQVIA: Newsletter Fokus Biosimilars; Mai 2020
  2. IQVIA: Fokus Biosimilars; März 2021
  3. Albanesi C et al. Front Immunol 2018; 9: 1549
  4. Ogawa E et al. J Dermatol 2018; 45 (3): 264–272
  5. Kassenärztliche Vereinigung Nordrhein: Arzneimittelvereinbarung 2021
  6. Kassenärztliche Vereinigung Sachsen: Arzneimittelvereinbarung 2021
  7. Kassenärztliche Vereinigung Saarland: Arzneimittelvereinbarung 2021