title: Targeting the IL-23/IL-17 axis for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: a 1 University of Perugia, Department of Medicine , Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alunno
authors.affiliation: b 2 University of L'Aquila, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences , L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Carubbi
authors.affiliation: a 1 University of Perugia, Department of Medicine , Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cafaro
authors.affiliation: a 1 University of Perugia, Department of Medicine , Perugia, Italy.|c 3 Terni University Hospital, Unit of Internal Medicine , piazzale Tristano di Joannuccio 1, Terni, Italy +39 07 44 20 52 01 ; giuseppe.schillaci@unipg.it.
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pucci
authors.affiliation: a 1 University of Perugia, Department of Medicine , Perugia, Italy.|c 3 Terni University Hospital, Unit of Internal Medicine , piazzale Tristano di Joannuccio 1, Terni, Italy +39 07 44 20 52 01 ; giuseppe.schillaci@unipg.it.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Battista
authors.affiliation: a 1 University of Perugia, Department of Medicine , Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bartoloni
authors.affiliation: b 2 University of L'Aquila, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences , L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Giacomelli
authors.affiliation: a 1 University of Perugia, Department of Medicine , Perugia, Italy.|c 3 Terni University Hospital, Unit of Internal Medicine , piazzale Tristano di Joannuccio 1, Terni, Italy +39 07 44 20 52 01 ; giuseppe.schillaci@unipg.it.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schillaci
authors.affiliation: a 1 University of Perugia, Department of Medicine , Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gerli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology; D053759:Interleukin-23 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D000069549:Ustekinumab / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; C508717:IL17A protein, human; D020381:Interleukin-17; D053759:Interleukin-23; C555450:secukinumab; D000069549:Ustekinumab
keywords: IL-17; IL-23; psoriasis; psoriatic arthritis