The role of IL-17 in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory articular disease characterized by psoriasis, synovitis and enthesitis. Current treatment of PsA is mainly based on the use of classical and biological DMARDs; however, 30–40% of patients could not respond to these or have a loss of response.

Areas covered: Recently, the discovery of new pathogenic mechanisms have made possible the development of new drugs that target the IL-17 with the possibility to interfere with the Th17 cells that are considered the cell type mainly involved in the development of the inflammation in PsA. New molecules have shown efficacy and safety over the various components of the disease in randomized clinical trials. These drugs have been recently approved for the treatment of PsA and included in the newest treatment recommendations. Other molecules are currently being tested in phase III clinical trials and are potential new treatment options for PsA.

Expert Commentary: The aim of this paper is to review the role of IL-17 in the pathogenesis and treatment of PsA, with a discussion on the emerging anti-IL-17 drugs for PsA.

KEYWORDS:

• IL-17 inhibitors
• pathogenesis
• psoriatic arthritis
• treatment
• biologic drugs

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Additional information

Funding

No funding to declare.