Disease modification in psoriasis through early interleukin 17 inhibitor intervention: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Background: Although interleukin (IL) 17 inhibitors like secukinumab and ixekizumab have shown significant efficacy in psoriasis, the impact of early intervention with biologics to modify the disease course and achieve long-term remission remains unclear.

Objectives: To examine the potential of early intervention with IL-17 inhibitors for disease modification in psoriasis.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study on moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis patients who received at least 4 weeks of treatment with secukinumab or ixekizumab between April 2019 and April 2023, taking the relapse rate 1 year after cessation of treatment as the primary endpoint.

Results: Among 400 patients who discontinued treatment after achieving Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 90, the median relapse time was 3.29 months (approximately 14 weeks). Of 141 patients who discontinued treatment after achieving Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 90 for over a year, 24 (88.89%) in the ultra-short disease duration (psoriasis duration ≤1 year) group and 33 (82.5%) in the short disease duration (psoriasis duration ≤2 years) group achieved 1 year of drug-free remission.

Limitations: The potential impact of early intervention on comorbidity development was not addressed in this study.

Conclusion: Early intervention with IL-17 inhibitors leads to faster responses and may promote disease modification in psoriasis.

Keywords: IL-17 inhibitor; disease modification; early intervention; ixekizumab; psoriasis; secukinumab.