Disease Modification in Psoriasis Through Early IL-17 Inhibitor Intervention: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Immunology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Interleukin-17 (IL-17) inhibitors, such as Secukinumab and Ixekizumab, are effective for psoriasis.
• The long-term impact of early biologic intervention on psoriasis disease modification and remission is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of early intervention with IL-17 inhibitors to modify the disease course in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.
• To assess the relapse rates and drug-free remission durations following treatment cessation in patients treated early with IL-17 inhibitors.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter retrospective cohort study was performed.
• Patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis receiving Secukinumab or Ixekizumab for at least 4 weeks were included.
• The primary endpoint was the relapse rate one year after treatment cessation.

Main Results:

• Among 400 patients who stopped treatment after achieving PASI90, the median relapse time was 3.29 months.
• In patients discontinuing treatment after achieving PASI90 for over a year, 88.89% (USDD group, psoriasis duration ≤ 1 year) and 82.5% (SDD group, psoriasis duration ≤ 2 years) achieved one year of drug-free remission.

Conclusions:

• Early intervention with IL-17 inhibitors may promote disease modification in psoriasis.
• Faster treatment responses were observed with early intervention.
• Further studies are needed to explore the impact on comorbidity development.