Disease Modification in Psoriasis Through Early IL-17 Inhibitor Intervention: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Junchen Chen; Guo Zhou; Yang Sha; Jingge Xiao; Chen Chen; Wenyu Deng; Ruixuan Wang; Xiang Chen; Chengzhi Lv; Yehong Kuang

doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2025.06.019

Disease Modification in Psoriasis Through Early IL-17 Inhibitor Intervention: A Retrospective Cohort Study

J Am Acad Dermatol. 2025 Jun 12:S0190-9622(25)02296-0. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2025.06.019. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Junchen Chen¹, Guo Zhou¹, Yang Sha², Jingge Xiao¹, Chen Chen³, Wenyu Deng¹, Ruixuan Wang¹, Xiang Chen⁴, Chengzhi Lv⁵, Yehong Kuang⁶

Affiliations

¹ The Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No.87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; National Clinical Research Center of Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; Furong Laboratory, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China.
² Dalian Dermatosis Hospital Changjiang Road No.788,Dalian,Liaoning.
³ Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; National Clinical Research Center of Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; Furong Laboratory, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; The Department of Nephrology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
⁴ The Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No.87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; National Clinical Research Center of Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; Furong Laboratory, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China. Electronic address: chenxiangck@126.com.
⁵ Dalian Dermatosis Hospital Changjiang Road No.788,Dalian,Liaoning. Electronic address: dlpfb@126.com.
⁶ The Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No.87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; National Clinical Research Center of Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; Furong Laboratory, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China. Electronic address: yh_927@126.com.

PMID: 40516878
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2025.06.019

Abstract

Background: Although IL-17 inhibitors like Secukinumab and Ixekizumab have shown significant efficacy in psoriasis, the impact of early intervention with biologics to modify the disease course and achieve long-term remission remains unclear.

Objectives: To examine the potential of early intervention with IL-17 inhibitors for disease modification in psoriasis.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study on moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis patients who received at least 4 weeks of treatment with Secukinumab or Ixekizumab between April 2019 and April 2023, taking the relapse rate one year after cessation of treatment as the primary endpoint.

Results: Among 400 patients who discontinued treatment after achieving PASI90, the median relapse time was 3.29 months(approximately 14 weeks). Of 141 patients who discontinued treatment after achieving PASI90 for over a year, 24 (88.89%) in the ultra-short disease duration(USDD, psoriasis duration ≤ 1 year) group and 33 (82.5%) in the short disease duration(SDD, psoriasis duration ≤ 2 year) group achieved one year of drug-free remission.

Limitations: The potential impact of early intervention on comorbidity development was not addressed in this study.

Conclusion: Early intervention with IL-17 inhibitors leads to faster responses and may promote disease modification in psoriasis.

Keywords: Disease Modification; Early Intervention; IL-17 Inhibitor; Ixekizumab; Psoriasis; Secukinumab.