Drug Evaluation

Targeting IL-17 with ixekizumab in patients with psoriasis

Beatrice Dyring-Andersen

Department of Dermato-Allergology, Herlev & Gentofte Hospital, Kildegaardsvej 28, DK-2900 Hellerup, Denmark

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Lone Skov

Department of Dermato-Allergology, Herlev & Gentofte Hospital, Kildegaardsvej 28, DK-2900 Hellerup, Denmark

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Claus Zachariae

*Author for correspondence:

E-mail Address: claus.zachariae@regionh.dk

Department of Dermato-Allergology, Herlev & Gentofte Hospital, Kildegaardsvej 28, DK-2900 Hellerup, Denmark

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Published Online:27 Aug 2015https://doi.org/10.2217/imt.15.63

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Abstract

Psoriasis is a multifactorial chronic inflammatory skin disease of unknown etiology. Knowledge of the pathophysiology of psoriasis has evolved and identified IL-17 as a key pro-inflammatory mediator in psoriasis creating new medical avenues. Several agents targeting IL-17 or its receptor are in clinical trials for the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis. This review focuses on the biological rationale and the results of clinical trials with ixekizumab, a humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody. The currently available Phase I to III data indicate that ixekizumab is a well-tolerated promising drug, although long-term data of efficacy and safety are needed before ixekizumab and other IL-17 targeting therapeutics can find their place in clinical practice.

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Papers of special note have been highlighted as: • of interest

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Vol. 7, No. 9

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Published online 27 August 2015

Published in print September 2015

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Disclaimer

Eli Lilly has announced US FDA submission of ixekizumab for treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis in adults.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

L Skov has received consultancy and/or speaker honoraria from Abbott, Pfizer, Janssen-Cilag, MSD and Leo Pharma and is a member of the Advisory Boards of MSD, Novartis, Eli Lilly, Abbvie, Celgene, Amgen and Janssen-Cilag. C Zachariae has received consultancy and/or speaker honoraria from Abbott, Pfizer and Takeda and is a member of the Advisory Boards of AbbVie, Novartis, Eli Lilly, MSD, Amgen, Takeda and Janssen-Cilag. B Dyring-Andersen receives funding from the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the Lundbeck Foundation and Aage Bangs Foundation. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

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