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Review
. 2024 Aug 16:17:71-79.
doi: 10.1016/j.jdin.2024.06.006. eCollection 2024 Dec.

The role of interleukin-17 and interleukin-23 inhibitors in the development, progression, and recurrence of cancer: A systematic review

Marie Vangilbergen  1 , Aline Stockman  2 , Axelle Van De Velde  2 , Maria Garmyn  1   3 , Kevin Punie  4 , Tom Hillary  1
Affiliations
Review

The role of interleukin-17 and interleukin-23 inhibitors in the development, progression, and recurrence of cancer: A systematic review

Marie Vangilbergen et al. JAAD Int. .

Abstract

Background: Biologicals targeting interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-23 improve quality of life in psoriasis and other chronic autoimmune disorders with a favorable safety profile. However, current guidelines do not recommend their use in patients with recent oncologic history due to limited evidence.

Objective: To understand the impact of IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors on cancer development, progression, and recurrence by systematically reviewing available literature.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Results: Most studies investigating the use of IL-23 and IL-17 blockers did not find a higher incidence of cancer compared to the general population. One study observed no relapse in patients with a history of cancer.

Limitations: The systematic review is limited due to variations in study designs and outcomes, making it difficult to achieve a comprehensive synthesis and comparison between studies. Furthermore, small sample sizes were notable.

Conclusion: Preclinical studies suggest that treating psoriasis with IL-17 or IL-23 blockers is safe, also in patients witch active cancer or a history of it. Pharmacovigilance data show no increased malignancy rate in patients treated with these treatment modalities. However, data on relapse in patients with a history or active malignancy are limited.

Keywords: IL-23; IL17; biologicals; breast cancer; colorectal cancer; medical dermatology; oncology; psoriasis.

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Conflict of interest statement

None disclosed.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
Pathogenesis of IL-23 and IL-12 in psoriasis and the cascade of cytokines involved in the differentiation of Th1 and Th17 cells. DC, Dendritic cell; IFN, interferon; IL, interleukin; R, receptor; TGF-B, transforming growth factor B; Th, T helper cell.
Fig 2
Fig 2
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) literature screening flow diagram.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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