BALANCE
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A pilot mechanistic study to investigate the impact of Bimekizumab on liver inflammation in psoriatic disease
IRAS ID
340351
Contact name
Laura Coates
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford/ Research Governance, Ethics & Assurance Team
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 7 months, 31 days
Research summary
Patients with psoriatic disease have a much higher risk of developing non-alcoholic liver disease. This causes significant impact on their life and is a difficult clinical problem as some therapies for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis may worsen the liver disease. A new type of MRI scan can measure inflammation and scarring in the liver allowing us to study liver disease in detail. A previous study we led confirmed high rates of liver disease in patients with psoriatic disease but also showed that some of the newer medications used to treat psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis may make this better.
We want to use this new technology to study people receiving Bimekizumab (a biologic drug that blocks the protein IL-17) to see if this is helpful for inflammation in the liver and other organs as well as treating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. We will take scans and research samples before people start on this treatment as part of their usual NHS care and then repeat them after 6 months (24 weeks) on Bimekizumab to see how this treatment can affect both inflammation and scarring in liver disease.
Participants will be recruited from dermatology and rheumatology departments from approximately five NHS hospitals who see adults with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis.
Participants will be in the trial for approximately 8 months from start of screening to last visit including a 24-week period on Bimekizumab treatment.
Participants enrolled in the study will undergo examination of their skin and/ or joints, answer some questionnaires, have blood and stool samples collected and have an MRI scan. These procedures will be carried out twice, both before participants begin Bimekizumab treatment and 24 weeks after Bimekizumab treatment.REC name
East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/EE/0092
Date of REC Opinion
15 Apr 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion