Biologic therapies are immune-modulators that are highly effective for the treatment of severe psoriasis. The licensed classes of biologics include two older classes - tumour necrosis factor(TNF) and interleukin(IL)-12/23 inhibitors; and two newer classes - IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors. Little evidence is available from the routine clinical setting for the serious infection risk of the newer agents.
The aim of this project is to understand if there are any differences in risk of serious infection associated with any of the available biologics for psoriasis, with a focus on comparing the newer agents against the established agents which are still commonly used. The objectives are to identify the current evidence for the relative risk of serious infection between the available biologics for psoriasis; and to compare the risk of serious infection associated with adalimumab, brodalumab, bimekizumab, guselkumab, ixekizumab, secukinumab, risankizumab, and ustekinumab using large observational datasets, including the established UK psoriasis pharmacovigilance registry (BADBIR).
The candidate will first perform a systematic review of cohort studies which examine the risk of serious infection in biologics used for psoriasis, including a network meta-analysis if appropriate. The candidate will then conduct a cohort study using data accrued in the British Association of Dermatologists Biologic Interventions Register (BADBIR), a national prospective longitudinal pharmacovigilance registry for biologics. The candidate will use methods such as survival analysis and extended Cox regression models to compare the risk of serious infection of the included agents.
The results will inform the wider medical and patient communities on biologic infection risk in psoriasis, especially for the newer IL-17 and IL-23 therapies. It will assist clinicians in assessing infection risk and inform discussion with patients and may potentially shift the current biologic prescribing paradigm in psoriasis.
Entry Requirements
Applicants are expected to hold (or about to obtain) a minimum upper second class undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent) in either Statistics, Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy.
Desirable
A Master's degree in a relevant subject and/or experience in Epidemiology / Biostatistics / Pharmacoepidemiology / Public Health is desirable.
Applicants interested in this project should make direct contact with the Primary Supervisor to arrange to discuss the project further as soon as possible.
How To Apply
To be considered for this Studentship you MUST submit a formal online application form - full details on how to apply can be found on https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/apply/
Please select 'PhD Dermatological Sciences' under academic programme when completing your online application
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. The full Equality, diversity and inclusion statement can be found on the website https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/apply/equality-diversity-inclusion/
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