Efficacy and safety of ustekinumab and etanercept for the treatment of psoriasis

Importance of the field: TNF-α inhibitors such as etanercept have been used for psoriasis for years. A fairly well defined efficacy and safety profile has developed. A new biologic agent, ustekinumab, an IL-12 and IL-23 inhibitor, has recently been released in the US for the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis. The purpose of this article is to compare the efficacy and safety profiles of ustekinumab and etanercept.

Areas covered in this review: We examined safety and efficacy data regarding ustekinumab and etanercept from clinical reports, a head-to-head trial, review articles, and databases and registries from the last 20 years.

What the reader will gain: Evidence is reviewed about the efficacy for the treatment of psoriasis as well as the safety profiles for both agents, ustekinumab and etanercept.

Take home message: Both drugs have data to confirm efficacy and safety in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis in the short-term. The limited long-term data on the safety profile of ustekinumab requires careful judgment on the clinician's part, weighing well-defined benefits and potential unknown risks.     

Targeting the IL-23/IL-17 axis for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

Introduction: A growing amount of data supporting the pathogenic role of the IL-23/IL-17 axis in inflammatory/autoimmune disorders has provided the rationale to target the system for therapeutic purpose. Several compounds have been and are currently under intense investigation in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) yielding impressive results.

Areas covered: In this review article, we provide an overview of currently available data on the IL-23/IL-17 system as a target for treatment for psoriasis and PsA. We searched MEDLINE for articles on drug therapy for psoriasis and PsA published between 1 January 2010 and 31 May 2015. One of these agents, ustekinumab, has been recently approved for the treatment of psoriasis and PsA, and a number of IL-23/IL-17-targeted compounds under investigation in these diseases.

Expert opinion: As our knowledge of the role of the IL-23/IL-17 axis in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and PsA deepens, it enables the development of more targeted therapies in the management of these conditions. Early data on IL-23/IL-17 targeting drugs appear promising, although incomplete. Given the key role IL-23/IL-17 in host defence, the safety profile of targeted drugs should be thoroughly assessed in future studies.     

Anti-interleukin-12 and anti-interleukin-23 agents in Crohn’s disease

Introduction: Blockers of IL-12/23, as well as specific blockers of IL-23, have been investigated as options for medical therapy in inflammatory bowel disease. These biological agents include ustekinumab – the first agent of this pharmacological class which has shown clinical efficacy in psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease (CD) – and other monoclonal antibodies under investigation, including brazikumab, risankizumab, mirikizumab, and guselkumab.

Areas covered: This review will focus on the rationale of the blockade of IL-12/23 axis in CD, efficacy and safety data of ustekinumab derived from randomized controlled trials and real-life observational studies, and the preliminary data of the highly promising selective IL-23 inhibitors.

Expert opinion: Data from literature have demonstrated that ustekinumab holds the potential to deserve a relevant role in the management of patients with CD thanks to several properties, including the fast onset of action, the long duration of efficacy, the favorable safety profile, the systemic anti-inflammatory effect, and the peculiar way of administration. Nonetheless, additional research is warranted to determine the real value of ustekinumab, as current data are not able to answer all the questions about its effectiveness in real-life practice, and the external validity of the available results is not absolute.     

Positioning ustekinumab in moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis: new kid on the block

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic relapsing disorder of the colonic tract. Dysregulated innate and adaptive immune pathways contribute to intestinal inflammation in IBD, and cytokines, including IL-12 and IL-23, play a key role. The blockade of both IL-12 and IL-23 may have an impact on different pathways of inflammation and could be effective for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Ustekinumab is a fully human IgG1κ monoclonal antibody which binds to the shared p40 protein subunit of IL-12 and ?23. It is currently approved for several immune-mediated diseases such as moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and Crohn’s disease, and has shown promising results in UC.

Areas covered: A review of the literature was performed to understand several aspects including the role of IL-12 and ?23 in UC, the potential therapeutic role of ustekinumab in inflammatory bowel disease, and the positioning of ustekinumab in the therapeutic algorithm of UC, based on extrapolated data from available randomized clinical trials.

Expert opinion: Ustekinumab is effective and safe in UC, and shows potential advantages compared to other drugs in moderate-to-severe UC.     

Risankizumab for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis

Introduction: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder pathogenically mediated by multiple cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-23, IL-17, and TNF. An emerging class of therapeutics that selectively blocks IL-23 has been developed. Among these new agents, risankizumab is now being investigated in phase III clinical trials, and the preliminary data are promising in inducing an excellent clinical response.

Areas covered: This review aims to describe the pathogenic role of IL-23 in psoriasis and to collect clinical data related to the efficacy and safety of risankizumab, an anti-IL-23p19 agent, in the treatment of psoriasis.

Expert opinion: Risankizumab showed high response rates in reaching complete or almost complete clearance of psoriasis. When compared to other similarly effective drugs, it may show some advantages related to its mechanism of action (direct blockade of the main pathogenic pathway), safety (no impact on the immune surveillance against Candida infection), therapeutic regimen (every-12-week injections), and effectiveness in the treatment of immune-mediated psoriasis comorbid conditions, such as psoriatic arthritis and Crohn’s disease.     

Ixekizumab for the treatment of psoriasis: up-to-date

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Ixekizumab (an IL-17A antagonist) is a biologic therapeutic licensed for use in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. IL-17 antagonists (also including Secukinumab and Brodalumab) represent a new generation of biologic therapy with rapid and high response rates, quickly becoming a crucial part of the psoriasis treatment armamentarium.

Areas covered: In this review, we describe how IL-17A antagonists disrupt inflammatory cascades in psoriasis and summarize results from clinical trials examining the safety and efficacy of ixekizumab against placebo and comparators.

Expert opinion: Ixekizumab induces a 75% reduction in psoriasis area severity index (PASI 75) in 89% of patients after 12 weeks and after 1 year, PASI 75 is maintained in 80% of patients. Ixekizumab is superior to both etanercept and ustekinumab, however, further comparator trials are needed to determine superiority between newer agents. Network meta-analysis suggests that ixekizumab is one of the most rapid and efficacious agents for treating psoriasis, but ideally more long-term real-world data are needed to determine the persistence of response. Candida may be commonly encountered during treatment and IL-17 agents should be avoided in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Overall, ixekizumab represents an efficacious and well-studied therapeutic that can offer biologic-naïve and bio-failure patients durable disease control.     

A new class of biologic agents facing the therapeutic paradigm in psoriasis: anti-IL-23 agents.

Introduction: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease whose pathogenesis is driven by multiple cytokine-mediated pathways. In this immunologic setting, the centrality of the IL-23/IL-17 axis and its therapeutic relevance has emerged.

Areas covered: This review is aimed at collecting preliminary data on IL23p19 blockers developed for the treatment of plaque psoriasis. Three agents, guselkumab, risankizumab, and tildrakizumab, are currently being tested in phase III trials, while LY2525623 is currently being tested in phase II trials. Treatment with these agents resulted in a marked improvement in disease severity, confirming the pathogenic relevance of IL-23 in psoriasis.

Expert opinion: Selective neutralization of IL-23 is an advantageous strategy for treating psoriasis. Preliminary data from phase II and III trials have shown the capability of this therapeutic class in inducing complete clearance or almost complete clearance in many patients: the highest PASI 90 rates were achieved by guselkumab, tildrakizumab, and risankizumab in 73.3%, 74% and 77% of cases, respectively. Moreover, the highest PASI 100 rates were achieved in 33%, 14%, and 48% of patients treated with guselkumab, tildrakizumab, and risankizumab, respectively. Further studies are needed to confirm this remarkable efficacy over long-term treatment periods.     

Biological therapy targeting the IL-23/IL-17 axis in inflammatory bowel disease

Introduction: As many inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients do not benefit from long-term anti-tumour necrosis factor treatment, new anti-inflammatories are urgently needed. After the discovery of the interleukin (IL) 23/17 axis being pivotal in IBD pathogenesis, many different compounds were developed, targeting different components within this pathway.

Areas covered: A literature search to March 2016 was performed to identify the most relevant reports on the role of the IL-23/IL-17 axis in IBD and on the different molecules targeting this pathway. First, the authors briefly summarize the immunology of the IL-23/IL-17 pathway to elucidate the mode of action of all different agents. Second, they describe all different molecules targeting this pathway. Besides discussing efficacy and safety data, they also explore immunogenicity, exposure during pregnancy and pharmacokinetics.

Expert opinion: A new era in IBD treatment has recently been initiated: besides immunomodulators and TNF-antagonists, anti-adhesion molecules and monoclonal antibodies targeting the IL-23/IL-17 pathway have been developed. Biomarkers for personalized medicine are urgently needed. This therapeutic (r)evolution will further improve disease-related and patient-reported outcome, though a lot of questions should still be addressed in future years.     

Novel approaches to biological therapy for psoriatic arthritis

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Improved understanding of the immunopathogenic mechanisms in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has led to the development of targeted biological therapies, which demonstrate superior clinical efficacy to traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). There are currently 3 classes of biological agents that are approved for the treatment of psoriatic disease: tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors (TNFi), including etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab, golimumab, and certolizumab pegol; ustekinumab, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed against interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23; and secukinumab, a human anti-IL-17A mAb. Other agents are in development. Our growing experience with these medications has revolutionized the approach to disease management in PsA.

Areas covered: This article discusses the rationale for using biological therapies in PsA, highlighting clinical trial evidence that supports the use of these agents. We summarize novel treatment approaches using biological therapies in the management of PsA, including early intervention, targeted therapy, TNFi switching, combination therapy, and tapering or discontinuation of biological therapy. We conclude with a discussion of the importance comorbidities have on selection of therapy.

Expert opinion: The advent of highly effective biological therapies has revolutionized the management of patients with PsA. Growing experience with these agents has led to novel treatment approaches that may improve clinical outcomes for PsA patients.     

Interleukin-21: updated review of Phase I and II clinical trials in metastatic renal cell carcinoma,metastatic melanoma and relapsed/refractory indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Importance to the field: In advanced renal cell cancer and malignant melanoma, the current FDA approved immune modulators, such as IL-2, are the only agents which provide a durable complete remission. These responses, however, occur in < 10% of treated patients and their applicability is limited to selected patients because of their toxicity. The identification of new immunotherapeutic agents with an improved response rate and toxicity profile would represent a significant advancement in the treatment of these malignancies.

Areas covered in this review: This is a comprehensive review of IL-21 including its pharmacology and current developmental status. A literature review was performed using all PubMed listed publications involving IL-21, including original research articles, reviews and abstracts. It also includes a review of current ongoing trials and information from the official product website.

What the reader will gain: Recombinant IL-21 (rIL-21) is a new immune modulator currently undergoing Phase I and II testing. It is a cytokine with a four helix structure that has structural and sequence homology to IL-2 and -15, but also possesses many unique biological properties. In this review, we evaluate the development, pharmacologic properties, safety profile and current clinical efficacy of rIL-21.

Take home message: rIL-21 has an acceptable safety profile and encouraging single agent activity in early phase renal cell carcinoma and melanoma clinical trials.     

Canakinumab investigated for treating familial Mediterranean fever

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most common hereditary autoinflammatory syndrome. The treatment of choice is colchicine. However, ~40% of patients are only partial responders and 5–10% are non-responders. Advances in the understanding of the role of pyrin in the regulation of interleukin (IL)-1β activation has led to use of anti-IL-1 agents for colchicine-resistant FMF.

Areas covered: The authors performed a literature search of anti-IL-1 treatment for FMF, particularly canakinumab, a humanized IL-1β antibody, by searching PubMed/Medline/Scopus since 2001 and proceedings of major rheumatologic conferences since 2011 for unpublished studies.

Expert opinion: Many reports of successful treatments with anti-IL-1 agents were published since 2007. In 2011, the first case reports of successful treatment with canakinumab were reported. Successful phase II trials reported in 2014 and 2015 led to a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase III trial in patients with colchicine-resistant FMF. Significantly more canakinumab treated patients attained the very stringent primary outcome measure and secondary outcomes vs. those treated with placebo. The safety profile was similar to canakinumab trials for other indications. Canakinumab appears to be an excellent alternative for the vast majority of patients with colchicine-resistant FMF, with an adequate safety profile.     

The use of ustekinumab in autoimmune disease

Importance of the field: The advent of biologic therapies has revolutionized the treatment of autoimmune diseases including psoriasis, autoimmune arthritides and inflammatory bowel disease. With recent advances in our understanding of the immunogenetic pathways involved in the pathogenesis of these conditions, newer, more targeted biologic therapies have been developed. Ustekinumab is an antibody to the common p40 subunit of IL-12 and IL-23, which has been studied in the treatment of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease and multiple sclerosis.

Areas covered in this review: This review details the efficacy and safety of ustekinumab in all clinical studies to date, using PubMed listed publications and official product websites.

What the reader will gain: Readers will gain a comprehensive understanding of the mechanism of action of ustekinuamb, its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profile, and its clinical efficacy and safety in the treatment of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease and multiple sclerosis.

Take home message: Ustekinumab has shown significant efficacy in the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis in Phase III studies, and promising results in Phase II studies in psoriatic arthritis. Efficacy has been shown in Crohn's disease only in non-responders to infliximab. Ustekinumab did not show benefit in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.     

Briakinumab

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune, T-cell mediated, inflammatory disease. An improved understanding of the pathogenesis of the autoimmune response has led to the development of targeted biologic therapies. Briakinumab is a human monocolonal antibody that blocks the activity of the cytokines IL-12 and IL-23. Immune dysregulation has been implicated in multiple inflammatory disorders and briakinumab has been investigated for the treatment of psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and multiple sclerosis. Objectives: This review focuses on briakinumab and its use in chronic plaque-type psoriasis. Methods: A literature review was performed, searching Medline and the clinicaltrials.gov database for all articles with the keywords ABT-874, IL-12/IL-23 and psoriasis. Conclusions: Although limited by small sample sizes, length of follow-up, and a lack of direct comparisons with other psoriasis treatments, initial data regarding the safety and efficacy of briakinumab for the treatment of psoriasis is promising. Ongoing Phase III trials may provide additional information regarding the relative efficacy and safety of briakinumab.     

Tildrakizumab for treating psoriasis

Introduction: Agents that block inflammatory pathways other than tumor necrosis factor (TNF) have represented new options for treating psoriasis in recent years. IL-23 is involved in regulating Th17 cells and is a potent activator of keratinocyte proliferation. Targeting IL-23p19 alone may be a promising treatment approach in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis, with a downregulation of Th17 and Th22 cell responses, while IL-12 blockade is not required to achieve efficacy in these patients.

Areas covered: The authors review and provide an update on tildrakizumab, a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that blocks the p19 subunit of IL-23.

Expert opinion: Total skin clearance is an important treatment goal that has both measurable and clinically meaningful benefits. Meeting patient needs about total clearance, IL-23p19 inhibitors will obtain a specific position in the crowded psoriasis market. On the other hand, PASI 75 and PASI 90 response achieved by tildrakizumab in the phase II and III trials are less than the response achieved by the IL-17A inhibitors and other p19 competitors, possibly due to a less intensive dosing regimen, although direct comparisons cannot be made without a head-to-head randomized clinical trial. The main advantage of tildrakizumab is that it is dosed in a maintenance regimen of 12 weeks, and similar to ustekinumab, this is likely to encourage adherence and aid persistence to the drug.     

Guselkumab for the treatment of psoriasis

Introduction: Psoriasis is a chronic immune mediated disease in which the interplay of T cells and keratinocytes seems to play a key role. In this context, the interleukin (IL)-23/IL-17 axis is currently considered to be crucial in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and the selective inhibition of IL-23 may be viewed as an improvement of treatments blocking both IL-23 and IL-12, since its upstream actions.

Areas covered: The authors performed a thorough and updated review on guselkumab, a fully human IgG1λ monoclonal antibody that blocks the p19 subunit of IL-23, analyzing efficacy and safety data from phase I, II and III trials.

Expert opinion: Guselkumab represents a very promising therapy, providing an alternative mechanism of action with high efficacy and safety profiles, sustained total skin clearance, and rapid onset of effect also to psoriasis patients who previously failed or experienced an inadequate response to anti-TNF-α or anti-IL12/23. Guselkumab will definitively shift therapeutic goals of psoriasis management from PASI 75 to PASI 90 and 100 due to its exciting trials results, also favored by its increased treatment adherence due to its administering regimen (100 mg injection at week 0, 4 and then every 8 weeks).     

Ixekizumab: an anti- IL-17A monoclonal antibody for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis

Introduction: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory rheumatic disease that manifests itself with synovitis, dactylitis, enthesitis and also axial involvement. Interleukin-17A has been identified as a master cytokine in the inflammatory response and pathogenesis of PsA and spondyloarthritis in general. Ixekizumab is a new humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the biological activity of IL-17A. This biological agent has previously demonstrated a high level of efficacy in psoriasis.

Areas covered: This review discusses the basic immunology of the IL-17 cytokine family, the contribution of IL-17A to the immunopathogenesis of PsA, the clinical trials that evaluated ixekizumab in patients with PsA (SPIRIT program) and the safety of this agent.

Expert opinion: Ixekizumab demonstrated its efficacy in different aspects of PsA including peripheral joint involvement, dactylitis, skin symptoms and patient reported outcomes in the 2 phase III trials from the SPIRIT program. Its safety profile was consistent with previous observations in patients with psoriasis. The role of IL-17A in the management of patients with PsA needs further clarification. According to EULAR recommendations for the management of PsA, IL-17A inhibitors may be used as second line biological DMARDs after TNF inhibitors.     

Lebrikizumab in the treatment of asthma

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Severe asthma continues to be a major clinical problem despite the availability of effective asthma medications such as inhaled corticosteroids. Several targeted biologic therapies are emerging to treat patients with severe asthma.

Areas covered: This review provides an update of information on lebrikizumab, a novel monoclonal antibody that targets IL-13 and is currently in advanced stages of development. It describes the role of IL-13, a key effector cytokine in Type 2 (T2) airway inflammation in asthma and discusses the results of recent phase 2 trials investigating lebrikizumab’s efficacy and safety in patients with severe asthma. Furthermore, it provides insight into the current ongoing trials with lebrikizumab and outlines future research needs.

Expert opinion: Several emerging therapeutic targets have been identified for patients with severe asthma. By specifically targeting IL-13, lebrikizumab has the potential to block several downstream signals that play a role in disease progression including airway inflammation, mucus hypersecretion and airway remodeling. The effects of lebrikizumab have been more marked in individuals with high serum periostin levels which reflect underlying IL-13 activity and T2 airway inflammation. Ongoing trials with lebrikizumab aim to further examine its long-term safety and efficacy in a larger population and explore its effects on airway inflammation and function.     

Bimekizumab for the treatment of psoriatic disease

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are common diseases with significant physical and emotional burden. Several biologics are FDA-approved to treat psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, though some patients remain refractory to, or have lost response to, therapy and/or cannot tolerate the associated risks and side effects. Bimekizumab is a new biologic that inhibits both IL-17A and IL-17F. It is currently in phase III clinical trials. To date, phase II studies show promise in its ability to rapidly resolve symptoms while remaining safe and well-tolerated.

Areas covered: This review serves to summarize the literature regarding the use of bimekizumab for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Bimekizumab has undergone phase I and phase II clinical trials with results showing significant disease improvement or resolution, as well as safety and tolerability. Phase III studies are now actively enrolling.

Expert opinion: Bimekizumab is a burgeoning biologic offering significant promise through its unique bispecific targeting of both IL-17A and IL-17F. Clinical trials have shown the potential of rapid symptom improvement after treatment with bimekizumab, with some patients seeing improvement after only two weeks. To date, bimekizumab has been shown to be safe and well-tolerated by patients, without any associated significant adverse events.     

Biological therapies for psoriasis

Introduction: Biological therapies have revolutionized moderate-to-severe psoriasis treatment. Increased understanding of disease pathogenesis has yielded multiple therapeutic targets involving the IL-23/Th17 pathway, while current therapies continue to be monitored for long-term efficacy and safety.

Areas covered: This review details current understanding of psoriasis immunopathogenesis specifically related to therapeutic targets. Approved and emerging biological psoriasis therapies targeting TNF-α, IL-12/23p40, IL-17 and IL-23p19 are covered. Biological agent uses in special circumstances are reviewed together with the emerging debate on biosimilar therapies and their potential future role in psoriasis and other inflammatory diseases.

Expert opinion: Psoriasis treatment has expanded and has become more effective due to increased understanding of disease pathogenesis. However, lack of efficacy in select psoriasis patients, safety concerns and limited treatment efficacy in psoriasis variants (e.g., pustular) are areas which still need improvement. As such, pharmacogenomics will be of vital importance in future for individualized psoriasis care. Further, a better understanding of the multiple psoriasis comorbidities, especially cardiovascular disease, continues to be of significant interest in the psoriasis community. Last, the emergence of biosimilar agents has the potential to change psoriasis treatment, especially as it relates to better access for the psoriasis community worldwide.