title: Anti-IL-17 Agents for Psoriasis: A Review of Phase III Data.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies investigating the molecular basis of psoriasis have established the central roles of TNFa, interleukin (IL)-12, IL-22 and IL-23, and now there is increasing evidence that IL-17 plays a vital role in the complex pathophysiology of this disease. Preclinical and phase II studies of medications targeting IL-17 and its receptor have thus far proved to be promising.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the results of the phase III 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 a 75% improvement from baseline Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75) was comparable between the different agents (secukinumab 83%, ixekizumab 89%, and brodalumab 85%). The safety profiles of the agents were similar with the most frequently reported adverse events of nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory infections, headache, and injection site reaction.
  
  
  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 III trials continue to reinforce the theory that the IL-17 pathway is an essential target in psoriasis treatment.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Farahnik
authors.forename: Kourosh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Beroukhim
authors.forename: Mio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abrouk
authors.forename: Tian Hao
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Rasnik
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bhutani
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Koo
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D006801:Humans; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; C508717:IL17A protein, human; D020381:Interleukin-17; C571216:brodalumab; C549079:ixekizumab; C555450:secukinumab