title: Anti-IL-17 phase II data for psoriasis: A review.
abstract: Abstract Background: Studies investigating the molecular basis of psoriasis have established the central roles of TNFα, interleukin (IL)-12, IL-22 and IL-23 and there is increasing evidence that IL-17 plays a critical role in the complex pathophysiology. Preclinical studies suggest that IL-17 is a desirable therapeutic target for psoriasis treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the results of the phase II clinical trials for the anti-IL-17 agents secukinumab, ixekizumab and brodalumab in order to assess the efficacy and safety profile of each agent.
  
  
  RESULTS
  By week 12, the proportion of patients reaching Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75) was comparable among the most efficacious dosage between the different agents (secukinumab 82%, ixekizumab 83% and brodalumab 82%; p<0.001 compared to placebo for all agents). The safety profiles of the agents were similar with the most frequently reported adverse events of nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory infections and injection site reaction. A small percentage of patients experienced low-grade neutropenia that was predominantly transient and asymptomatic.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The anti-IL-17 agents demonstrated a rapid and robust clinical improvement accompanied by a favorable short-term safety profile. The results of the phase II trials support the theory that the IL-17 pathway is an essential target in psoriasis treatment.
authors.affiliation: University of Arizona College of Medicine , Tucson, AZ , USA .
authors.forename: Gabrielle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malakouti
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: John Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Koo
authors.forename: Ethan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Levin
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D006801:Humans; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000276:immunology; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology; D053759:Interleukin-23 / Q000276:immunology; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D020381:Interleukin-17; D053759:Interleukin-23; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D018664:Interleukin-12; C571216:brodalumab; C549079:ixekizumab; C555450:secukinumab
keywords: Biologic medication; brodalumab; ixekizumab; secukinumab