Ixekizumab: A Review in Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis

Ixekizumab (Taltz) is a subcutaneously administered, humanized anti-interleukin-17A monoclonal antibody indicated for the treatment of adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy (USA and EU) or phototherapy (USA). In the phase 3 UNCOVER trials in this patient population, ixekizumab was superior to placebo or etanercept in terms of the proportion of patients achieving a ≥75% reduction from baseline in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index and in those achieving a static Physician Global Assessment score of 0 or 1, after 12 weeks of induction treatment. Clinical responses to ixekizumab were seen as early as week 1. Patients receiving ixekizumab also reported improvements in health-related quality of life, itching, and work productivity. Clinical responses to ixekizumab were sustained during additional 48 weeks of maintenance treatment. Ixekizumab was generally well tolerated and exhibited low immunogenicity in the UNCOVER trials during up to 60 weeks of therapy. Currently available data indicate that ixekizumab is an effective and generally well tolerated treatment option for patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. It has the potential advantage of one maintenance dose for every 4 weeks.