Bimekizumab: The First Dual Inhibitor of Interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-17F for the Treatment of Psoriatic Disease and Ankylosing Spondylitis

BioDrugs. 2019 Aug;33(4):391-399. doi: 10.1007/s40259-019-00361-6.

Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with significant psychological and physical impact. Over the last few decades, several highly effective target therapies have been developed, leading to a major paradigm shift in the way psoriatic disease is managed. Despite this, a proportion of patients still do not respond or lose response over time. Bispecific antibodies target two different cytokines simultaneously, potentially offering a better disease control. Interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-17F share structural homology and have similar biologic function. IL-17A is classically considered to be the most biologically active, but recent studies have shown that IL-17F is also increased in psoriatic skin and synovial cell in psoriatic arthritis, supporting the rationale for targeting both IL-17A and IL-17F in psoriatic disease. Bimekizumab is the first-in-class monoclonal antibody designed to simultaneously target IL-17A and IL-17F. Bimekizumab is currently in clinical development for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, with promising results. In early clinical trials, bimekizumab demonstrated a rapid onset of action, good safety profile, and high tolerability by treated study participants. Long-term results and head-to-head trials comparing bimekizumab with other agents will be crucial to define the role of bimekizumab in the treatment of psoriatic disease.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / pharmacology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-17 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Interleukin-17 / immunology
  • Psoriasis / drug therapy*
  • Psoriasis / immunology
  • Skin / drug effects
  • Skin / immunology
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing / drug therapy*
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing / immunology
  • Synovial Membrane / drug effects
  • Synovial Membrane / immunology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • IL17A protein, human
  • IL17F protein, human
  • Interleukin-17
  • bimekizumab