Tyrosine kinases are enzymes that play central roles in signaling by cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, including lupus. A recent phase 2 clinical trial published in Arthritis & Rheumatology has generated promising results for deucravacitinib, an oral inhibitor of tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2), in patients with active lupus.
In the trial, 363 patients were randomized 1:1:1:1 to placebo or deucravacitinib 3 mg twice daily, 6 mg twice daily, or 12 mg once daily. At week 32, the percentage of patients who experienced a beneficial response (as assessed by various measures of disease activity) was 34% with placebo compared with 58%, 50%, and 45% with the respective deucravacitinib regimens.
Rates of adverse events were similar across groups, except for higher rates of infections and skin-related events, including rash and acne, with deucravacitinib. Rates of serious adverse events were comparable, with no deaths, opportunistic infections, tuberculosis, major adverse cardiovascular events, or thrombotic events reported.
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