Ixekizumab for the Treatment of Psoriasis: A Review of Phase III Trials

INTRODUCTION: Interleukin-17 inhibitors are the newest class of monoclonal antibodies approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of psoriasis. Preclinical and Phase II studies of ixekizumab, a high-affinity anti-IL-17A monoclonal antibody, have proved promising. METHODS: We conducted an extensive literature search using the PubMed database to assess the efficacy and safety profile of ixekizumab. The search included the following key words: "psoriasis" and "IL-17" or "ixekizumab." We also reviewed citations within articles to identify relevant sources. RESULTS: By week 12, the percentage of patients achieving a 75% improvement from baseline Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75) was comparable among the three Phase III trials (UNCOVER-1, 89%; UNCOVER-2, 90%; UNCOVER-3, 87%). Ixekizumab continued to be efficacious through 60 weeks of treatment. The safety profile of ixekizumab was favorable; the most frequently reported adverse events consisted of nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, injection-site reaction, and headache. CONCLUSION: Overall, ixekizumab demonstrated rapid clinical improvement and favorable short-term safety profile in Phase III trials. The results support ixekizumab as an effective therapeutic option for patients with moderate-to-severe plaque-type psoriasis.