Impact of Ixekizumab Treatment on Itch and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis: An Integrated Analysis of Two Phase III Randomized Studies
Gil Yosipovitch, Adam Reich, Martin Steinhoff, Anke Beselin, Toby Kent, Martin Dossenbach, Lovisa Berggren, Carsten Henneges, Thomas Luger, Gil Yosipovitch, Adam Reich, Martin Steinhoff, Anke Beselin, Toby Kent, Martin Dossenbach, Lovisa Berggren, Carsten Henneges, Thomas Luger
Abstract
Introduction: We evaluated baseline itch and its impact on the efficacy of ixekizumab (IXE) in clearing psoriasis and improving quality-of-life measures, and we explored the relationship between itch and psoriatic skin improvement.
Methods: Data were analyzed from two double-blind, randomized, controlled phase III studies (UNCOVER-2/3) comparing etanercept (ETN), IXE, and placebo (PBO) in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Long-term analysis included UNCOVER-3 data from week 0 to week 156.
Results: At week 12, a clinically meaningful improvement in itch [Itch Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) reduction ≥ 4] was seen in 70.0%, 88.6%, and 90.8% of the IXE-treated patients in the baseline Itch NRS 4-6, 7-8, and 9-10 groups, respectively (all itch severity groups p < 0.001 versus ETN and PBO). Also, 68.9%, 67.1%, and 73.6% of the IXE-treated patients in the baseline Itch NRS 4-6, 7-8, and 9-10 groups, respectively, showed an improvement of ≥ 90.0% in the Psoriatic Area and Severity Index (PASI) at week 12 as compared to the baseline (PASI 90) (all itch severity groups p < 0.001 versus ETN and PBO). For most patients, itch reduction preceded psoriatic plaque improvement. Sustained effects of IXE on itch and PASI were observed during 3 years of treatment.
Conclusions: Regardless of baseline itch severity, IXE treatment provided a rapid improvement in itch followed by clinically meaningful improvements in psoriasis.
Funding: Eli Lilly and Company.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers, NCT01597245 and NCT01646177.
Keywords: IL-17A; Itch; Ixekizumab; Psoriasis.
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References
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Source: PubMed