Risk of herpes zoster with IL-17 inhibitor therapy for psoriasis and other inflammatory conditions

IL-17 in skin infections and homeostasis

Interleukin (IL) 17 is a proinflammatory cytokine belonging to a structurally related group of cytokines known as the IL-17 family. It has been profoundly studied for its contribution to the pathology of autoimmune diseases. However, it also plays an important role in homeostasis and the defense against extracellular bacteria and fungi. IL-17 is important for epithelial barriers, including the skin, where some of its cellular targets reside. Most of the research work on IL-17 has focused on its effects in the skin within the context of autoimmune diseases or sterile inflammation, despite also having impact on other skin conditions. In recent years, studies on the role of IL-17 in the defense against skin pathogens and in the maintenance of skin homeostasis mediated by the microbiota have grown in importance. Here we review and discuss the cumulative evidence regarding the main contribution of IL-17 in the maintenance of skin integrity as well as its protective or pathogenic effects during some skin infections.

Anti-Herpes zoster vaccination in patients with dermatologic diseases: a position statement from the Italian SIDeMaST group of sexually transmitted, infectious and tropical diseases

Herpes zoster (HZ) is a condition caused by the reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the virus responsible for chickepox, which is the clinical manifestation of the primary infection. Congenital or acquired immune system deficiencies, as well as the physiological decline in immune response occurring in the elderly, known as immune senescence, can allow VZV reactivation and, consequently, HZ. One out of 3 people develops HZ during their lifetime. Moreover, thirty percent of the affected subjects develop post-herpetic neuralgia, the most frequent complication after HZ skin rash. Patients with dermatological conditions characterized by alteration of the immune system, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, bullous diseases, and cutaneous lymphomas, are at higher risk of developing HZ and post-herpetic neuralgia, even when their disease is in remission. In the present work, we described the currently available vaccinations against HZ and provided recommendations for the vaccination against HZ in patients with dermatological diseases.

A Systematic Overview of Contraindications and Special Warnings for Biologic and Targeted Synthetic Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs: Establishing a Framework to Create a "Safety Checklist"

BACKGROUND/AIM

The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the contraindications, special warnings, and boxed warnings with the aim to establish a framework to create a prescription safety checklist for a class of drugs or disease indication. This study covers biologic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and targeted synthetic DMARDs (tsDMARDs).

METHODS

We identified contraindications, boxed warnings, and special warnings provided by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The study included b/tsDMARDs approved for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), axial spondyloarthritis (SpA), and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) within the drug-classes anti-CD20, tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi), interleukin-1 inhibitors (IL-1i), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein (CTLA) 4, interleukin-12/23 inhibitors (IL-12/23i), interleukin 6 receptor inhibitors (IL-6Ri), Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi), phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors (PDE4i), interleukin-17 inhibitors (IL-17i), and interleukin-23 inhibitors (IL-23i).

RESULTS

All drug classes, except PDE4i, had contraindications and/or warnings related to infections, including tuberculosis. A warning about herpes zoster was listed for anti-CD20, IL-1i, IL-6Ri, and JAKi, while a warning about hepatitis reactivation was listed for anti-CD20, TNFi, IL-1i, CTLA4-Ig, IL-6Ri, and JAKi. Malignancy risk was mentioned for all drug classes except PDE4i, IL-17i, and IL-23i. Other warnings included demyelinating disease (TNFi, CTLA4-Ig, and IL-6Ri), heart failure (anti-CD20 and TNFi), major adverse cardiac events (JAKi and IL-12/23) and venous thromboembolism (JAKi), hyperlipidemia (IL-6Ri and JAKi), liver impairment (TNFi, IL-1i, IL-6Ri, and JAKi), kidney impairment (IL-1i, JAKi, and PDE4i), inflammatory bowel disease (IL-17i), gastrointestinal perforation (IL-6Ri, JAKi), cytopenia (anti-CD20, TNFi, IL-1i, IL-6Ri, JAKi), and depression (PDE4i). Contraindications and warnings appeared to increase with the passage of time since the drug's approval.

CONCLUSION

This review provides an overview to establish the framework to create an easily accessible and actionable prescription safety checklist from individual medical product prescription information provided by regulatory medical authorities.

Burden of Herpes Zoster Among Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis in the United States

Purpose

Patients with psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are at increased risk of herpes zoster (HZ), but healthcare resource use (HRU) and costs relating to HZ in adults with PsA are unknown. We aimed to estimate the incidence of HZ among adults with PsA vs without psoriatic disease and the additional HRU and costs among patients with PsA with vs without HZ.

Patients and Methods

This retrospective, longitudinal, cohort study estimated HZ incidence in PsA+ vs PsO-/PsA- cohorts and HRU and medical/pharmacy costs among PsA+/HZ+ vs PsA+/HZ- cohorts comprised of adults from Optum's de-identified Clinformatics Data Mart Database during 2015-2020. For the HRU/cost analyses, index was the date of first HZ diagnosis (PsA+/HZ+ cohort) or was randomly assigned (PsA+/HZ- cohort). Generalized linear models were used for adjusted comparisons between cohorts.

Results

HZ incidence was higher in the PsA+ (n = 57,126) vs PsO-/PsA- (n = 23,837,237) cohort (14.85 vs 7.67 per 1000 person-years; adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR]: 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16-1.30). Numbers of outpatient visits, emergency department visits, and inpatient admissions were significantly higher in the PsA+/HZ+ (n = 1045) vs PsA+/HZ- (n = 36,091) cohorts during the first month after HZ diagnosis (outpatient: aIRR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.63-1.86; emergency department: 3.14; 95% CI: 2.46-4.02; inpatient: aIRR: 2.61; 95% CI: 1.89-3.61). Mean all-cause per-patient costs were significantly higher in the PsA+/HZ+ vs PsA+/HZ- cohorts during the first month after index ($6493 vs $4521; adjusted cost difference: $2012; 95% CI: $1204-$3007). HRU and costs were numerically higher in the PsA+/HZ+ cohort during the first 3 and 12 months.

Conclusion

These findings, which provide evidence on the increased incidence and HRU and economic burden associated with HZ among adults with PsA, could be used to inform clinical practice and decision-making.

Risk of infection in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa on biologics or other immunomodulators: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a painful skin condition that significantly affects patients' quality of life. Biologic agents, including anti-TNF agents and IL-17 inhibitors, have shown promise as treatment options for HS. However, there is concern about the increased risk of infections associated with these therapies. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. We searched PubMed and Embase until February 1, 2023. The primary outcome of interest was the incidence of any infectious complications. Secondary outcomes included serious and opportunistic infections in HS patients treated with biologics or other immunomodulators. Twenty-four studies met our inclusion criteria, comprising 1,696 patients. The pooled incidence rate for any infection was 24.2%, primarily consisting of mild respiratory and skin infections. Subgroup analysis based on the mechanism of action (MOA) showed a pooled incidence of 7.77% for anti-IL1, 14.24% for anti-PDE4, and 21.96% for anti-TNF. Notably, patients receiving anti-IL17 had the highest incidence rate of infection at 33.6%, but the relative risk compared to placebo was not significantly elevated (0.99, 95% CI: 0.86-1.14). Serious infections were rare, with pooled incidences of 0.39% for anti-IL17 and 0.03% for anti-TNF. Opportunistic infections were infrequent, with 10 reported cases, including eight oral candidiasis, one cryptosporidiosis, and one Blastocystis hominis infection. The use of biologic therapies in HS patients does not significantly increase the risk of infectious complications. Additionally, the occurrence of serious or opportunistic infections in HS patients treated with biologics appears to be minimal.

A Review of the Safety of Interleukin-17A Inhibitor Secukinumab

Secukinumab is an anti-interleukin (IL)-17A IgG1-κ monoclonal antibody approved for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Its efficacy is well documented, but the complete safety profile of secukinumab, especially on long-term use, needs to be studied. IL-17 inhibitors increase the risk of infections, especially respiratory tract infections and candidiasis, and inflammatory bowel disease; the causal relationships are well described. However, evidence regarding the other adverse events is scarce, and causal associations between the adverse events and the biologic remain unresolved. This review aims to present a narrative perspective on the safety of secukinumab and identify some key areas where the safety of secukinumab may potentially be useful in understanding the scope of secukinumab therapy and making informed clinical decisions.

Incidence, risk factors, and consequences of human alphaherpesvirus infections in patients with psoriasis who initiate methotrexate or biologic agents

BACKGROUND

Immunosuppressive agents may increase the risk of infections with human alphaherpesviruses.

METHODS

We included all adult patients with moderate to severe psoriasis who initiated methotrexate (MTX) or biologic agents in a retrospective cohort study. An episode of alphaherpesviruses infection was defined as filling a prescription for systemic acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir. Using nation-wide registries, we determined the incidence, risk factors, 180-days hospital contacts, and 30-days mortality following infection.

RESULTS

We included 7,294 patients; 4,978 (68%) received MTX, and 2,316 (32%) biologic agents. The incidence rates [95% CI] of alphaherpesviruses were 23 [20-27], 26 [19-35], 17 [11-27] and 6.7 [1.3-21] per 1000 PYFU in patients on MTX, TNFα-, IL-12/23-, and IL-17 inhibitors, respectively. Males had an unadjusted HR of 0.47 (P < 0.001) for alphaherpesvirus infection. Patients on IL-17 inhibitors had an adjusted HR of 0.24 (P = 0.048) compared to TNFα inhibitors. Within 180-days after infection, 13%, 7.5%, and <0.5% of patients on MTX, TNFα inhibitors, and IL-12/23 or IL-17 inhibitors, respectively, had hospital contacts, and the 30-days mortality for all groups was <0.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence and risk of alphaherpesvirus infections was comparable between patients on MTX and TNFα inhibitors, while use of IL-17 inhibitors was associated with a lower risk.

Global Risk of Bacterial Skin Infections and Herpesviridae Infections with Ustekinumab, Secukinumab, and Tumour Necrosis Factor-alpha Inhibitors: Spontaneous Reports of Adverse Drug Reactions from the World Health Organization Pharmacovigilance Center

Genetic defects in interleukin-12/23/17 immunity are associated with an increased risk of Staphylococcus aureus and herpesvirus skin infections. This study analysed spontaneous safety reports from the WHO Pharmacovigilance Center of bacterial skin or herpesvirus infections associated with secukinumab, ustekinumab and tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitors. Associations found in disproportionality analyses were expressed as reporting odds ratios (ROR). For bacterial skin infections, ustekinumab showed the strongest association (ROR 6.09; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 5.44-6.81), and, among the tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitors, infliximab showed the strongest association (ROR 4.18; 95% CI 3.97-4.40). Risk was comparable between infliximab and secukinumab (ROR 3.51; 95% CI 3.00-4.09). Secukinumab showed the strongest association with herpes simplex infection (ROR 4.80; 95% CI 3.78-6.10). All biologics were equally associated with herpes zoster. Infliximab was the only biologic associated with cytomegalovirus infection (ROR 5.66; 95% CI 5.08-6.31) and had the strongest association with Epstein-Barr virus infection (ROR 6.90; 95% CI 6.03-7.90). All biologics evaluated were positively associated with bacterial skin infections, herpes simplex, and herpes zoster, compared with all other drugs in the WHO database for which individual case safety reports were collected. The possibility of under-reporting, reporting bias and difference in causality assessment between countries and reporters must be taken into account when interpreting the results of disproportionality analyses.

Secukinumab treatment and vaccination efficacy

Dear Editor, Secukinumab, a monoclonal antibody against interleukin (IL)-17A, is used to treat psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The effect of this treatment on COVID-19 vaccination is not well characterized. While IL-17 deficiency states are associated with mucocutaneous infection with Candida albicans, there is no apparent increased risk of viral infection, and redundancy between IL-17A and IL-17F limits the impact of IL-17A deficiency on immune responsiveness.

Pathogenic implications, incidence, and outcomes of COVID-19 in autoimmune inflammatory joint diseases and autoinflammatory disorders

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to spread rapidly, there are still many unresolved questions of how this virus would impact on autoimmune inflammatory joint diseases and autoinflammatory disorders. The main aim of this paper is to describe the main studies focusing their attention on COVID-19 incidence and outcomes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondylarthritis (SpA), and autoinflammatory disease cohorts. We also revised possible pathogenic mechanisms associated with. Available data suggest that, in patients with RA and SpA, the immunosuppressive therapy, older age, male sex, and the presence of comorbidities (hypertension, lung disease, diabetes, CVD, and chronic renal insufficiency/end-stage renal disease) could be associated with an increased risk of infections and high rate of hospitalization. Other studies have shown that lower odds of hospitalization were associated with bDMARD or tsDMARDs monotherapy, driven largely by anti-TNF therapies. For autoinflammatory diseases, considering the possibility that COVID-19 could be associated with a cytokine storm syndrome, the question of the susceptibility and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients displaying innate immunity disorders has been raised. In this context, data are very scarce and studies available did not clarify if having an autoinflammatory disorder could be or not a risk factor to develop a more severe COVID-19. Taking together these observations, further studies are likely to be needed to fully characterize these specific patient groups and associated SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Recommendations on the management of adult patients with rheumatic diseases in the context of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 infection. Colombian Association of Rheumatology

Objective

To produce recommendations for patients with rheumatological diseases receiving immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive therapies (conventional drugs, biologicals, and small molecules) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and methods

The recommendations were determined using the Delphi method as an agreement tool. A panel of experts was formed, with academic backgrounds and research experience in rheumatology. A literature search was conducted and 42 questions were generated. The level of agreement was made with 80% of approval by the participants.

Results

A group of eleven rheumatologists from 7 cities in the country participated. The response rate was 100% for the three consultation rounds. In the first round, agreement was reached on 35 questions, on 37 in the second round, and on 42 questions in the third round.

Conclusion

The recommendation for the majority of the pharmacological treatments used in rheumatology is to continue with immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive therapies in patients who do not have the infection, and to suspend it in patients with a diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19.

Recommendations on the management of adult patients with rheumatic diseases in the context of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 infection. Colombian Association of Rheumatology

Objetivo

Generar las recomendaciones para la atención de pacientes con enfermedades reumáticas que reciben terapias inmunomoduladoras e inmunosupresoras (fármacos convencionales, biológicos y moléculas pequeñas) durante la pandemia por COVID-19.

Materiales y métodos

Las recomendaciones se realizaron utilizando el método Delphi como herramienta de acuerdo. Se conformó un panel de expertos con trayectoria académica y experiencia en investigación en reumatología. Se realizó la búsqueda de la literatura y se generó el cuestionario del ejercicio Delphi conformado por 42 preguntas. El grado de acuerdo se logró con el 80% de aprobación de los participantes.

Resultados

Se conformó un grupo de 11 reumatólogos de 7 ciudades del país. La tasa de respuesta fue del 100% para las 3 rondas de consulta. En la primera ronda se logró acuerdo en 35 preguntas, en la segunda ronda 37 y en la tercera ronda se logró el acuerdo de las 42 preguntas.

Conclusión

La recomendación para la mayoría de los tratamientos inmunomoduladores utilizados en reumatología es continuar con las terapias en pacientes que no tengan la infección y suspenderlas en aquellos con diagnóstico de SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19.

Recomendaciones sobre el manejo de pacientes adultos con enfermedades reumáticas en el contexto de la infección por SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19. Asociación Colombiana de Reumatología

Objetivo

Generar las recomendaciones para la atención de pacientes con enfermedades reumáticas que reciben terapias inmunomoduladoras e inmunosupresoras (fármacos convencionales, biológicos y moléculas pequeñas) durante la pandemia por COVID-19.

Materiales y métodos

Las recomendaciones se realizaron utilizando el método Delphi como herramienta de acuerdo. Se conformó un panel de expertos con trayectoria académica y experiencia en investigación en reumatología. Se realizó la búsqueda de la literatura y se generó el cuestionario del ejercicio Delphi conformado por 42 preguntas. El grado de acuerdo se logró con el 80% de aprobación de los participantes.

Resultados

Se conformó un grupo de 11 reumatólogos de 7 ciudades del país. La tasa de respuesta fue del 100% para las 3 rondas de consulta. En la primera ronda se logró acuerdo en 35 preguntas, en la segunda ronda 37 y en la tercera ronda se logró el acuerdo de las 42 preguntas.

Conclusión

La recomendación para la mayoría de los tratamientos inmunomoduladores utilizados en reumatología es continuar con las terapias en pacientes que no tengan la infección y suspenderlas en aquellos con diagnóstico de SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19.

Recommendations on the management of adult patients with rheumatic diseases in the context of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 infection. Colombian Association of Rheumatology

Objective

To produce recommendations for patients with rheumatological diseases receiving immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive therapies (conventional drugs, biologicals, and small molecules) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and methods

The recommendations were determined using the Delphi method as an agreement tool. A panel of experts was formed, with academic backgrounds and research experience in rheumatology. A literature search was conducted and 42 questions were generated. The level of agreement was made with 80% of approval by the participants.

Results

A group of eleven rheumatologists from 7 cities in the country participated. The response rate was 100% for the three consultation rounds. In the first round, agreement was reached on 35 questions, on 37 in the second round, and on 42 questions in the third round.

Conclusion

The recommendation for the majority of the pharmacological treatments used in rheumatology is to continue with immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive therapies in patients who do not have the infection, and to suspend it in patients with a diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19.

Treatment response, survival, safety, and predictive factors to chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy in Chinese relapsed or refractory B cell acute lymphoblast leukemia patients

This study aimed to evaluate treatment response, survival, safety profiles, and predictive factors to chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy in Chinese patients with relapsed or refractory B cell acute lymphoblast leukemia (R/R B-ALL). 39R/R B-ALL patients who underwent CAR-T therapy were included. Baseline data were collected from patients’ electronic medical records. Patients’ peripheral bloods, bone marrow aspirates, and biopsies were obtained for routine examination, and treatment response and survival profiles as well as adverse events were evaluated. The rates of complete remission (CR), CR with minimal residual disease (MRD) negative/positive, and bridging to hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) were 92.3%, 76.9%, 15.4%, and 43.6%, respectively. The median event-free survival (EFS) was 11.6 months (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.0–19.2 months) and median overall survival (OS) was 14.0 months (95% CI: 10.9–17.1 months). Bridging to HSCT independently predicted better EFS and OS, while high bone marrow blasts level independently predicted worse EFS. The incidence of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) was 97.4%, and refractory disease as well as decreased white blood cell independently predicted higher risk of severe CRS. Other common adverse events included hematologic toxicities (grade I: 5.1%, grade II: 7.7%, grade III: 17.9%, grade IV: 69.2%), neurotoxicity (28.2%), infection (38.5%), and admission for intensive care unit (10.3%). In conclusion, CAR-T therapy presents with promising treatment response, survival and safety profiles, and higher disease burden predicts worse survival as well as increased risk of severe CRS in Chinese R/R B-ALL patients.

Interleukin-17A suppresses granular layer formation in a 3-D human epidermis model through regulation of terminal differentiation genes

Immunotherapies targeting interleukin (IL)-17 greatly improve plaque psoriasis. Most previous studies on IL-17 focused on the T-helper (Th)17 immune response, but investigation of the effects of IL-17A on psoriatic epidermal structure are limited. Using an in vitro 3-D human epidermis model, we investigated the effects of IL-17A and IL-17C on morphological changes and gene expression. IL-17A directly suppressed the formation of the granular layer, whereas IL-17C did not. IL-17A significantly downregulated the gene expression of profilaggrin (FLG), which is a major component of keratohyalin granules in the granular layer. Global gene expression analysis of this 3-D epidermis model showed that both IL-17A and IL-17C upregulated S100A7A and type 1 interferon-related genes including MX1, IFI44L, XAF1 and IFIT1. However, only IL-17A directly downregulated keratinocyte differentiation-related and cornified envelope-related genes including FLG, LOR, C1ORF68, LCE1E, LCE1B, KRT10, CST6 and RPTN. In conclusion, IL-17A, a systemic inflammatory cytokine, affected keratinization in our 3-D epidermis model. In contrast, IL-17C, a locally produced cytokine, did not have strong effects on keratinization. Targeting IL-17A does not only reduce inflammation but it may also directly affect epidermal differentiation in psoriasis.