title: Ustekinumab: The "New Kid on the Block" in the Treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis.
abstract: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory seronegative spondyloarthritis associated with psoriasis. While TNF-α inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment of rheumatic diseases, including PsA, not all patients respond to these agents while others are unsuitable or intolerant to them. Thus, there is a need for additional treatment modalities with a novel mechanism of action. In the past years, the IL-23/Th17 axis has emerged as an important mechanism in the pathogenesis of PsA. Ustekinumab, a fully human IgG1κ monoclonal antibody that targets the common subunit p40 of IL-12 and IL-23, has been shown in clinical trials, to be well-tolerated and effective in patients with active PsA. It improved signs and symptoms of PsA, inhibited radiographic progression and was effective in dactylitis, enthesitis, and skin disease, with a safety profile consistent with the one observed in patients with psoriasis. Moreover, it was to be effective in anti-TNF-α experienced patients, definitely fulfilling an unmet need in the management of PsA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Porto, Portugal.|Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Tiago
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.|Clinical Immunology Unit, Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Faria
mesh_terms: D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000276:immunology; D053759:Interleukin-23 / Q000276:immunology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000069549:Ustekinumab / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D053759:Interleukin-23; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D018664:Interleukin-12; D000069549:Ustekinumab
keywords: IL12/IL23; Ustekinumab; psoriasis; psoriatic arthritis