Axonal sensorimotor polyneuropathy after starting guselkumab

J Dermatolog Treat. 2022 Jun;33(4):2371-2372. doi: 10.1080/09546634.2021.1914304. Epub 2021 Aug 1.

Abstract

Guselkumab is an IL-23 inhibitor that binds to the p19 subunit of IL-23 that is highly efficacious and well tolerated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. We report a 20-year-old male who developed sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy starting treatment with guselkumab, confirmed by neurological examination and serial neurophysiologic studies. His symptoms improved within 5 months of stopping the treatment. The neurophysiologic studies also showed improvement but with continued neuropathy and re-innervation changes on electromyography after about 10 months of stopping treatment. The time line of symptoms and a positive de-challenge are strong but not definitive evidence of guselkumab as a cause.

Keywords: Psoriasis; axonal polyneuropathy; biologics; guselkumab; polyneuropathy; sensorimotor polyneuropathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-23
  • Male
  • Polyneuropathies* / chemically induced
  • Polyneuropathies* / drug therapy
  • Psoriasis* / diagnosis
  • Psoriasis* / drug therapy
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Interleukin-23
  • guselkumab