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Long-Term Changes in Complete Blood Count-Derived Inflammatory Indices During Risankizumab Treatment for Psoriasis: A
Riccardo Balestri1, Chiara Pallanch1, Michela Magnano2
1Division of Dermatology, Psoriasis Outpatient Service, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata del Trentino (ASUIT)-Trento Hospital, P.O. Villa Igea, Via Malta 16, 38121 Trento, Italy.
Abstract:
Background/Objectives: Blood count-derived inflammatory indices have been proposed as accessible biomarkers of systemic inflammation in psoriasis, but their longitudinal behavior during selective interleukin-23 blockade remains uncertain. We evaluated these indices in psoriasis patients treated with risankizumab. Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective real-world study (DERMIS), including adults with cutaneous psoriasis, with or without psoriatic arthritis, treated with risankizumab across 10 Italian centers, from national reimbursement up to 1 December 2025. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and complete blood count-derived indices-neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI)-were assessed at baseline and at weeks 12, 24, 52, 104, 156, and 208. Analyses used available data and sensitivity cohorts with follow-up at weeks 52, 104, and 208. Results: Among 250 patients, 43 had data at week 208. PASI scores decreased significantly at all follow-up time points. In contrast, systemic indices showed heterogeneous, non-linear trajectories: NLR, SII, and SIRI fluctuated without consistent sustained reductions, whereas MLR remained broadly stable. PLR showed the most reproducible downward trend, with nominal reductions at weeks 24 and 52; after Bonferroni correction across the six repeated visits within PLR, the reduction at week 52 remained statistically significant, whereas the week-24 reduction did not. Body mass index (BMI)-related differences were inconsistent and did not remain significant after Bonferroni correction. Sex, cardiometabolic comorbidities, and previous biological exposure showed no consistent effect. Conclusions: These findings challenge the use of routine blood count-derived indices as reliable biomarkers of cutaneous response to risankizumab.
