Exploring how Guselkumab therapy affects liver and joint health in Psoriatic Arthritis patients with NAFLD

Elucidating Shared Mechanisms Contributing to Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) Disease Severity With Guselkumab Therapy

Not applicable Interventional University of California, San Diego · NCT06586281

This study is testing how a treatment called Guselkumab can help people with Psoriatic Arthritis who also have liver problems, to see if it improves their joint and liver health.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment20 (estimated)
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of California, San Diego Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsGuselkumab, methotrexate
Locations1 site (San Diego, California)
Trial IDNCT06586281 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the shared mechanisms between Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) severity, particularly focusing on the effects of Guselkumab therapy. It involves two visits for PsA patients who also have NAFLD and active disease signs, such as swollen joints or psoriatic plaques. The study aims to assess the impact of biological therapies on liver disorders, joints, and skin by utilizing imaging, metabolomics, and ultrasound-guided synovial biopsies to identify new molecular signatures and therapeutic targets.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults diagnosed with PsA who have active disease signs and elevated liver fat consistent with NAFLD.

Not a fit: Patients with prior exposure to certain biologic therapies or other chronic liver diseases may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved treatment strategies for PsA patients with NAFLD, potentially reducing disease severity and enhancing overall health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While there is limited research specifically linking NAFLD and PsA, studies on biological therapies in similar contexts have shown promise, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Adults with diagnosis of PsA fulfilling the classification for PsA (CASPAR) criteria.
2. Must have:

1 or more swollen joint(s) and/or one or more active sites of enthesitis

3\. AND/OR

1 or more psoriatic plaques

4\. No changes in the regular medication regimen within the last three months, and no use of systemic and/or chronic steroids within 8 weeks leading up to the study.

5\. Overweight or obese by BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m2 or ≥ 23.0 for Asian participants

6\. Patients are starting Guselkumab therapy for PsA as indicated by primary rheumatologist

7\. Elevated liver fat on controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) ≥ 288 dB/m, which is consistent with NAFLD after exclusion of secondary causes of liver disease.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with prior exposure to IL12/23i, IL-17i, JAKi, or TYK2i. Patients with exposure to more than 2 TNFi.
2. Evidence of other causes of chronic liver disease

   * Hepatitis B as defined as presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).
   * Previous or current infection with Hepatitis C as defined by presence of hepatitis C virus Abin serum (anti-HCV Ab).
   * Autoimmune hepatitis as defined by anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) of 1:160 or greater and liver histology consistent with autoimmune hepatitis or previous response to immunosuppressive therapy.
   * Autoimmune cholestatic liver disorders as defined by elevation of alkaline phosphatase and anti-mitochondrial antibody of greater than 1:80 or liver histology consistent with primary biliary cirrhosis or elevation of alkaline phosphatase and liver histology consistent with sclerosing cholangitis.
   * Wilson disease as defined by ceruloplasmin below the limits of normal and liver histology consistent with Wilson disease.
   * Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency as defined by alpha-1-antitrypsin level less than normal and liver histology consistent with alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency.
   * Hemochromatosis as defined by presence of 3+ or 4+ stainable iron on liver biopsy and homozygosity for C282Y or compound heterozygosity for C282Y/H63D.
   * Drug-induced liver disease as defined on the basis of typical exposure and history.
   * Bile duct obstruction as shown by imaging studies.
   * History of gastrointestinal bypass surgery or ingestion of medications known to produce steatosis, such as corticosteroids, high-dose estrogen, tamoxifen, amiodarone or tetracycline in the previous 6 months.
   * Evidence of cirrhosis or previously known cirrhosis based on the results from previous liver biopsy or history of portal hypertension presented by ascites, hepatic encephalopathy or varices
   * Presence of regular and/or excessive use of alcohol (defined as \>30g/day for males and \>15g/day for females) for a period longer than 2 years at any times in the last 10 years
   * Serum creatinine \> 2.0 mg/dL
   * The subject is a pregnant or nursing female or is planning to become pregnant
   * Life expectancy less than 5 years
3. History of known HIV infection

Where this trial is running

San Diego, California

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Psoriatic Arthritis
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.