IL-17A inhibitor switching – Efficacy of ixekizumab following secukinumab failure. A single-center experience

Interleukin-17A inhibitors are a promising alternative to tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors for the treatment of psoriasis. In-class switch has been hardly investigated for interleukin-17A inhibitors. We report the experience (2017–2018) of a tertiary medical center with interleukin-17A-inhibitor switch in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Patient-, disease-and outcome-related data were retrospectively collected from the electronic files of 25 patients switched to ixekizumab following secukinumab failure. Mean ± standard deviation patient age was 56.7 ± 12.2 years. Mean baseline Psoriasis Area and Severity Index was 25. Secukinumab was discontinued due to primary failure in 7 patients and secondary failure in 18. Ixekizumab was administered for 7.3 ± 2.8 months; 22 patients were still on ixekizumab at the end of the study. Mean ± standard deviation Psoriasis Area and Severity Index reduction from baseline at study end was 75.5 ± 20.0%. Patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis seem to be amenable to treatment with ixekizumab following secukinumab failure. Further large multicenter studies are needed.