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The interleukin (IL)-17 cytokine is produced by TH-17 T cells, which are known to be involved in the development of psoriatic lesions in mice and are found in psoriatic lesions in humans. Agents that target IL-17 or its receptor are under study for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn disease, and asthma (http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov).
Two such agents were recently studied in randomized, placebo-controlled trials in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. Brodalumab targets the IL-17A receptor antagonist, and ixekizumab binds to IL-17.
In the first study, 198 patients were randomized to injections of 70, 140, 210, or 280 mg of brodalumab or placebo. Statistically significant improvement occurred in all treatment gr…