Ixekizumab

Ixekizumab (pronounced ix-ee-KIZ-ue-mab) also known under trade name Taltz is an injectable drug for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Chemically, it is a form of a humanized monoclonal antibody. The substance acts by blocking interleukin 17A, reducing inflammation. Ixekizumab (pronounced ix-ee-KIZ-ue-mab) also known under trade name Taltz is an injectable drug for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Chemically, it is a form of a humanized monoclonal antibody. The substance acts by blocking interleukin 17A, reducing inflammation. The drug was developed by Eli Lilly and Co. and is approved for the treatment of plaque psoriasis in Europe and the US. Ixekizumab is used for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults. In studies, the drug reduced the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index by at least 75% (PASI75) in 82–89% of patients during the first three months of treatment (depending on the dosing scheme), and 40% of patients experienced a complete absence of psoriasis symptoms (PASI100). In the placebo group, PASI75 was reached in 4% of patients, and PASI100 in none; in the group of patients receiving etanercept, an older anti-psoriasis drug, PASI75 was reached in 48%. Until the 60th study week, 11–44% of ixekizumab treated patients relapsed (again, depending on the dosing scheme), as compared to 84% under placebo. In December 2017 the US FDA approved it for active psoriatic arthritis. The drug is contraindicated for patients with certain infections such as active tuberculosis. In studies, ixekizumab increased the rate of infections (27% of ixekizumab treated patients, compared to 23% under placebo), including severe ones (0.6% versus 0.4% under placebo). Other common side effects included injection site pain (13–17% versus 3%), oropharyngeal pain (1%) and nausea (1–2%). Up to fourfold doses have been given in studies without causing serious side effects. No interaction studies have been done. Ixekizumab and interleukin 17 are not known to interact with cytochrome P450 (CYP) liver enzymes. Since inflammation suppresses CYP activity, it is theorized that ixekizumab could neutralize this effect and lower blood plasma concentrations of drugs that are metabolized by CYP enzymes, such as warfarin.