Can Ixekizumab Improve Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms?

Ixekizumab significantly improves skin symptoms, health-related quality of life, and work productivity in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA), according to new research.

To reach this conclusion, the researchers randomly assigned 417 biologic-naïve patients aged 18 years or older with active PsA to ixekizumab, 80 mg, either every 4 weeks (IXEQ4W) or every 2 weeks (IXEQ2W). A third group was assigned adalimumab, 40 mg, every 2 weeks, while a fourth group was assigned a placebo.

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At week 24, the IXEQ4W, IXEQ2W, and adalimumab groups had all reported significant improvements in their Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score: 53% of the IXEQ4W group, 63% of the IXEQ2W group, 54% of the adalimumab group, and 22% of the placebo group reported DLQI scores of 0/1.

At week 24, participants reported an improvement in itch, Short Form Health Survey, and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire-Specific Health Problem scores.

Improvement in itching, physical functioning, and joint pain continued through the study’s extension period to week 52, in which 381 participants had completed.

“These improvements complement previously reported improvements in joint pain and physical function,” the researchers concluded. “This further confirms the utility of targeting IL-17A in the treatment of both joint and skin diseases in patients with PsA.”

—Colleen Murphy

Reference:

Gottlieb AB, Strand V, Kishimoto M, et al. Ixekizumab improves patient-reported outcomes up to 52 weeks in bDMARD-naïve patients with active psoriatic arthritis (SPIRIT-P1). Rheumatology. 2018;57(10):1777-1788. https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/key161.