Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Ixekizumab for Treatment of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common, chronic, inflammatory skin disorder with a physical and emotional burden. Emerging evidence suggests that IL17-A is a key cytokine in the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis. Ixekizumab is a humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody that acts by neutralizing IL-17A. Data from Phase I-III studies reveal that ixekizumab is highly effective in treating patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. A large proportion of patients receiving ixekizumab achieved or maintained complete or near complete resolution of psoriatic lesions with an acceptable safety profile through week 60. These remarkable results introduce a paradigm shift in the medically management of psoriasis, where complete or almost completely clear skin becomes the new therapeutic goal.