Sequencing of Targeted Therapy in Psoriasis: Does it Matter?

With the continued development of biologics for the treatment of psoriasis, some patients have achieved optimal control, but a recommended biologic sequence if a biologic fails to initially improve the skin, termed primary nonresponse, or loses efficacy after initial improvement, termed secondary nonresponse, is still lacking. Primary and secondary nonresponse can occur with any class of biologics, and the type of nonresponse can drive the choice of whether to switch within a biologic class or to a different biologic class. The choice of biologic can also be challenging when managing psoriasis and concomitant psoriatic arthritis, as treatment differs on the basis of the severity of both diseases and further classification of axial and peripheral joint involvement. When choosing a biologic, each patient's comorbidities and preferences are also taken into account to provide the optimal therapy. With this lack of an established biologic sequence after biologic failure, the objective of our review is to define a therapy sequence for the tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-17 (IL-17), and interleukin-23 (IL-23) inhibitor classes in the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Our proposed biologic sequence was derived through an analysis of the efficacy of each biologic class, primary and secondary nonresponse rates from clinical trials, and clinical experience with expert opinion.

Gastroenterological safety of IL-17 inhibitors: a systematic literature review

INTRODUCTION

Interleukin 17 is a proinflammatory cytokine considered to play a significant role in the immunopathogenesis of many chronic immune-mediated disorders. Interleukin 17 inhibitors provide an excellent treatment option for patients with psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis. However, Interleukin 17 inhibitors have been suspected of worsening or triggering new-onset inflammatory bowel disease.

AREAS COVERED

A literature search was conducted until March 2021 to investigate reporting prevalence, and characteristics of all gastroenterological adverse events in patients treated with Interleukin 17 inhibitors. One hundred and six clinical randomized trials were included, involving 40,053 patients. Inflammatory bowel disease cases were reported in 0.4% of patients exposed to Interleukin 17 inhibitors. The most frequent other gastrointestinal adverse events were diarrhea (2.5%), nausea or vomiting (0.7%), and gastroenteritis (0.2%). Sixty-one uncontrolled or retrospective studies were included, involving 16,791 patients. Sixty (0.36%) inflammatory bowel disease cases were reported, 0.6% of patients reported other gastrointestinal adverse events.

EXPERT OPINION

Interleukin 17 inhibitors are safe and effective in the treatment of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Low incidence rate of developing new-onset inflammatory bowel disease or exacerbating preexisting inflammatory bowel disease with anti-IL-17 agents has been reported. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of these concerns when considering this therapy.

Efficacy of a second interleukin 17 inhibitor in patients with psoriasis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Multiple biologics for psoriasis exist, and interleukin (IL) 17 inhibitors are among those with the best efficacy. However, switching treatment is often required at some point, and intraclass switch of IL-17 inhibitors is not well investigated.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the efficacy of a second IL-17 inhibitor in patients with psoriasis.

METHODS

Two authors independently searched the databases PubMed and EMBASE for studies reporting on efficacy of IL-17 inhibitors in patients with psoriasis previously exposed to another IL-17 inhibitor. The study was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

RESULTS

In total, 14 publications comprising 655 patients were included. The proportion of patients achieving a reduction of 75%, 90%, and 100% in Psoriasis Area Severity Index were, respectively, 74.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 63.9-84.0), 69.4% (95% CI, 53.2-83.4), and 46.4 (95% CI, 30.5-62.7) after short-term treatment (weeks 9, 12, and 16 combined).

LIMITATIONS

Most studies included were on ixekizumab and were retrospective chart reviews with no information on the response to the previous IL-17 inhibitor.

CONCLUSION

Previous treatment with an IL-17 inhibitor does not appear to affect the efficacy of another IL-17 inhibitor in the treatment of psoriasis. However, further prospective studies are needed.