Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Immunogenicity of Intravenous and Subcutaneous Single-Dose QX002N Injection in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized, Open, Parallel, Single-Center, Phase I Study.

INTRODUCTION: Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), although not all patients respond to traditional IL-17A antibody treatments. QX002N injection, as a new monoclonal antibody targeting IL-17A, has shown potential in treating AS, offering a new treatment option for patients who do not respond well to existing therapies. METHODS: A randomized, open, parallel, single-center, phase I study was conducted to assess the pharmacokinetics, safety, and immunogenicity of single doses of QX002N injection administered intravenously (IV) or subcutaneously (SC) to healthy Chinese volunteers. Blood samples were collected at specified time intervals, and then serum concentrations of QX002N were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Pharmacokinetic analysis of the drug concentration-time data showed that the mean maximum observed serum QX002N concentration (Cmax) was 110 and 33.9 µg/ml, respectively. The average area under the drug concentration-time curves from 0 to the time of the last quantifiable concentration (AUClast) were 52,656 and 36,269 µg·h/ml, respectively and the average area under the drug concentration-time curves from 0 to infinity (AUCinf) were 54,867 and 38,194 µg·h/ml, respectively. The absolute bioavailability of QX002N after SC injection was 69.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Immunogenicity was assessed and all the subjects in this study were Anti-drug antibody (ADA)-negative, which means no subjects appeared to develop immunogenicity to QX002N. All the results testify to the safety of QX002N injection, which is satisfactory after IV or SC dosing in healthy subjects. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.chinadrugtirals.org.cn , CTR20220430.

The advent of IL-17A blockade in ankylosing spondylitis: secukinumab, ixekizumab and beyond.

INTRODUCTION: Secukinumab, an interleukin-17A (IL-17A) antagonist, is the first non-TNF alpha inhibitor agent licensed for ankylosing spondylitis (AS), which opens up a new era of alternative cytokine targets beyond TNF. Areas covered: This review explores the pathophysiology and scientific evidence behind the use of this new mode of action and discusses the basis for its efficacy and clinical utility in the management of AS. In particular, how the emergent data points towards the efficacy of secukinumab and ixekizumab, a second emergent IL-17A blocker, in AS has helped focus research into the IL-23/17 axis in entheseal driven disease in man and how IL-17A inhibition may be linked to the presence of innate and adaptive immune cell populations capable of IL-17A elaboration in these target tissues. Expert commentary: Collectively these emergent data point towards an efficacious role of IL-17A inhibition strategies targeting AS pathogenesis in a fundamental way whilst carrying a good safety profile.