Objective: While clinical trials provide invaluable evidence, real-world data can offer further insight on the efficacy and safety of biologic drugs. This report aims to analyze the long-term efficacy and safety of ixekizumab in real-world clinical practice in our facility.
Patients and methods: Patients with a diagnosis of psoriasis and who started treatment with ixekizumab were included in this retrospective study and followed for 156 weeks. The severity of cutaneous manifestations was evaluated using the PASI score at several time points and clinical efficacy was evaluated using PASI 75, -90 and -100 responses.
Results: Not only PASI 75, but also PASI 90 and 100 responses showed a favorable outcome after treatment with ixekizumab. Responses at week 12 were sustained through the following three years in the majority of patients. No statistically significant difference was found between bio-naive and bio-switch patients and weight and disease duration had no impact on the efficacy of the drug. Ixekizumab had a favorable safety profile, as we observed no major adverse events. Two cases of eczema were observed and led to drug discontinuation.
Conclusions: This study confirms the efficacy and safety of ixekizumab in real-world clinical practice.