Safety and Efficacy of Ixekizumab in Chinese Adults with Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis: A Prospective, Multicenter, Observational Study

Abstract

Introduction: Psoriasis, an incurable chronic inflammatory disease, affects over 6 million people in China. Ixekizumab, a monoclonal antibody against interleukin-17A, has demonstrated efficacy and safety for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, although limited data are available regarding its use in routine clinical practice in China. We investigated the real-world application of ixekizumab in China.

Methods: Adults (≥ 18 years) with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis prescribed ixekizumab in routine clinical practice were enrolled in this prospective, observational, single-arm, multicenter, post-marketing surveillance study. The primary endpoint was the safety of ixekizumab at week 12. The effectiveness of ixekizumab, based on the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), was assessed as a secondary endpoint.

Results: In total, 666 patients were enrolled; 663 were included in the safety analysis, and 612 in the effectiveness analysis. At least one adverse event (AE) was reported by 42.7% (283/663) of patients, most of which were mild (242/283, 85.5%), and 32.7% (217/663) of patients reported AEs related to study treatment. The most frequently reported AEs were injection site reactions. AEs led to discontinuation in five patients (0.8%). Only three patients had a serious AE. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) change from baseline in PASI score was reduction in 10.79 ± 9.55 at week 2 and 16.80 ± 12.15 at week 12. At week 2, 63.7% of patients achieved PASI 50. At week 12, 93.2%, 77.4%, and 45.1% of patients achieved PASI 75, PASI 90, and PASI 100, respectively. Mean ± SD change from baseline in DLQI was reduction in 5.91 ± 6.27 at week 2 and 9.76 ± 7.16 at week 12. DLQI 0/1 was achieved by 19.8% and 59.9% of patients at week 2 and 12, respectively.

Conclusion: Ixekizumab was well tolerated and effective in real-world clinical practice in Chinese adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Keywords: Efficacy; Ixekizumab; Psoriasis; Real world; Safety.