A Study to Assess Adverse Events, Change in Disease Activity, and How the Drug Moves Through the Body in Children With Juvenile Psoriatic Arthritis (jPsA) Receiving Subcutaneously Injected Risankizumab or Adalimumab

To be considered for this study, children and teenagers generally need to be between 5 and 17 years old and have a confirmed diagnosis of juvenile psoriatic arthritis (jPsA) for at least three months. Importantly, their jPsA must currently be 'active', meaning they have swelling, pain, or tenderness in at least three of their joints.

Also, a key requirement is that a previous standard medicine for jPsA, such as methotrexate, sulfasalazine, leflunomide, or hydroxychloroquine, hasn't worked well enough for them, or they couldn't tolerate it. This helps ensure the study is looking at new options for those who might need them.

However, some conditions would mean someone couldn't join. For example, if they have other autoimmune conditions (like lupus or other types of juvenile arthritis), or if they haven't responded well to certain groups of medicines in the past, they might not be able to participate.

If you decide to take part in this study, you'll be assigned to one of two groups by chance, like flipping a coin. One group will receive risankizumab, and the other will receive adalimumab. There's a 1 in 4 chance you'd receive adalimumab. Both medicines are given as injections under the skin, with the dose adjusted based on body weight.

Initially, for 24 weeks, you'll receive your assigned treatment. If your jPsA improves during this period, you could continue on the same treatment for a much longer time – potentially another 100 weeks. If your jPsA gets worse during this longer period, you would stop taking the study medicine.

Taking part involves regular visits to a hospital or clinic. These visits will include check-ups by doctors, blood tests, and discussions about any side effects you might be experiencing. You'll also be asked to fill in questionnaires about how you're feeling and how your jPsA is affecting you. After your last dose of the study medicine, you'll be followed closely for safety for a period of either 70 days (if you received adalimumab) or 140 days (if you received risankizumab). This is to make sure any late side effects are noted. Because of all these checks and visits, taking part might mean more appointments than your usual care.