Ustekinumab in chronic immune-mediated diseases: a review of long term safety and patient improvement

Abstract

Éric Toussirot,1–4 Fabrice Michel,5 Matthieu Béreau,6 Delphine Binda1,7 1Clinical Investigation Center – Biotherapy CBT-506, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France; 2Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France; 3Department of Therapeutics, University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France; 4Equipe d'Acceuil 4266 Pathogens and Inflammation, Structure Fédérative de Recherche–Fédération de Recherche 4234, University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France; 5Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France; 6Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France; 7Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unité Mixte de Recherche 1098, Blood Transfusion Center, Besançon, France Abstract: Ustekinumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting the common p40 subunit shared by interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23. Ustekinumab prevents the interaction of IL-12 and IL-23 with their cell surface receptors, and thus blocks T helper (Th)-1 IL-12 and Th-17 IL-23 inflammatory pathways. Ustekinumab has been evaluated in the treatment of various chronic immune-mediated diseases including, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease, and multiple sclerosis. It led to a rapid and durable improvement in psoriasis area and severity index in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. Ustekinumab also improved joint symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. Results in Crohn's disease were more mitigated, albeit with a symptomatic improvement in patients refractory to tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors. Ustekinumab did not reduce the number of magnetic resonance imaging brain lesions in multiple sclerosis. The most common adverse events to have been observed during clinical trials are mild in intensity, and include respiratory tract infections, nasopharyngitis, headaches, and injection site reactions. A pooled analysis of clinical trial data indicated no specific patterns of infection or malignancy under long-term ustekinumab administration. Ustekinumab is easy to use, has a comfortable therapeutic regimen, improves quality of life in patients, and thus appears to be an attractive biological treatment that is adapted and accepted by patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. Keywords: IL-23, psoriasis, autoimmune diseases, quality of life