Ixekizumab 80 mg Every 2 Weeks Treatment Beyond Week 12 for Japanese Patients with Generalized Pustular Psoriasis and Erythrodermic Psoriasis.

Ixekizumab is an anti-interleukin-17 treatment for a skin condition with thick and scaly patches called psoriasis. Ixekizumab (initial dose of 160 mg followed by 80 mg administered every 2 weeks [Q2W] from Week 2 through Week 12 and thereafter 80 mg every 4 weeks [Q4W]) has been approved in Japan; people who have not achieved 100% clear skin after taking ixekizumab for 12 weeks can continue to receive ixekizumab Q2W rather than monthly. However, this approval partially lacked data from people with rare types of psoriasis, generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) and erythrodermic psoriasis (EP). The aim of this study was to look at the effectiveness and safety of continuous Q2W dosing of ixekizumab in Japanese people with GPP and EP beyond Week 12. Researchers aimed to find out whether psoriasis symptoms in this population improved if they continued Q2W treatment for > 12 weeks. Seven people with GPP and 5 with EP participated in the study (12 in total). Participants initially received 160 mg under-the-skin injection of ixekizumab, followed by 80 mg injections Q2W. Two GPP and four EP participants continued to receive ixekizumab after 12 weeks up to Week 20. One GPP participant achieved 100% clear skin, and another GPP participant and all 4 EP participants showed improvement. No participants died, and safety findings were similar to previous ixekizumab studies from both Japanese and non-Japanese people. This study suggests that people with GPP and EP who continue to take ixekizumab Q2W after 12 weeks may show improvements in their psoriasis with a well-tolerated safety profile.