Ixekizumab Associated New-Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Drug-induced entero-colitis due to interleukin-17 inhibitor use; capsule endoscopic findings and pathological characteristics: A case report

BACKGROUND

Interleukin-17 (IL-17) inhibitors are known to cause exacerbation or new onset of inflammatory bowel disease upon administration. However, few reports have described characteristic endoscopic and histopathologic findings, and no small intestinal lesions have been reported so far.

CASE SUMMARY

A woman in her 60s with psoriasis was administered ixekizumab (IXE), an anti-IL-17A antibody, for the treatment of psoriasis. Twenty months after commencing treatment, the patient visited our hospital because of persistent diarrhea. Blood tests performed at the time of the visit revealed severe inflammation, and colonoscopy revealed multiple round ulcers throughout the colon. A tissue biopsy of the ulcer revealed infiltration of inflammatory cells and granuloma-like findings in the submucosal layer. Capsule endoscopy revealed multiple jejunal erosions. After the withdrawal of IXE, the symptoms gradually improved, and ulcer reduction and scarring of the colon were endoscopically confirmed.

CONCLUSION

To the best of our knowledge, 17 reports have documented IL-17 inhibitor-induced entero-colitis with endoscopic images, endoscopic findings, and pathological characteristics, including the present case. Nine of these cases showed diffuse loss of vascular pattern, coarse mucosa/ulcer formation in the left colon, and endoscopic findings similar to those of ulcerative colitis. In the remaining eight cases, discontinuous erosions and ulcerations from the terminal ileum to the rectum were seen, with endoscopic findings similar to those of Crohn's disease. In this case, the findings were confirmed by capsule endoscopy, which has not been previously reported.

An Insight on the Possible Association between Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Biologic Therapy with IL-17 Inhibitors in Psoriasis Patients

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystemic disease which affects approximately 2-3% of the population globally, whose onset is triggered by genetic and environmental factors which activate both dendritic cells and keratinocytes, resulting in the production of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 17, interleukin 23, interleukin 22, and interleukin 1β. An in-depth understanding of the pathophysiology of psoriasis led to significant advances in the development of safe and efficient novel therapeutic options, with four classes of biologic therapy being approved for the management of moderate to severe psoriasis: tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors, interleukin 23 inhibitors, anti-interleukin 12/23 agents, anti-interleukin 17 agents, as well as small-molecule inhibitors, such as apremilast. Psoriasis is associated with comorbid conditions, namely psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, psychiatric disorders, malignancy, as well as inflammatory bowel disease. For patients affected by both psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease, there is a strong recommendation to avoid IL-17 inhibitors since they may play a part in the exacerbation of the gastrointestinal disease. Our aim was to perform a thorough literature review regarding the development of inflammatory bowel disease lesions in psoriasis patients treated with IL-17 inhibitors, along with a case presentation to emphasize the need for close follow-up of these patients.

New-Onset Crohn's Disease following Initiation of Secukinumab: A Case Report and Review of the Role of IL-17 in the Pathogenesis of Crohn's Disease

Patients with autoimmune conditions show a high expression of proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-17. While IL-17 inhibitors have demonstrated efficacy in managing autoimmune disorders, rare instances of de novo or exacerbated inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been reported. The factors that affect the onset and severity remain unclear. Here, we present a case of a 38-year-old female who developed manifestations of Crohn's disease within 1 month of initiating secukinumab treatment for psoriatic arthritis, in addition to a review of the role of IL-17 in the pathophysiology of Crohn's disease.

Paradoxical Reactions to Anti-TNFα and Anti-IL-17 Treatment in Psoriasis Patients: Are Skin and/or Gut Microbiota Involved?

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated, inflammatory disease primarily affecting the skin. It is currently coming to light that patients with psoriasis have disrupted intestinal barrier and often suffer from comorbidities associated with the gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, there is growing evidence of both cutaneous and intestinal paradoxical reactions during biologic treatment in patients with psoriasis. This review focuses on barrier defects and changes in immune responses in patients with psoriasis, which play an important role in the development of the disease but are also influenced by modern biological treatments targeting IL-17 and TNFα cytokines. Here, we highlight the relationship between the gut-skin axis, microbiota, psoriasis treatment, and the incidence of paradoxical reactions, such as inflammatory bowel disease in patients with psoriasis. A better understanding of the interconnection of these mechanisms could lead to a more personalized therapy and lower the incidence of treatment side effects, thereby improving the quality of life of the affected patients.

IL-17 inhibitor-associated inflammatory bowel disease: A study based on literature and database analysis

Objective: Few real-world studies have shown clear association between interleukin (IL)-17 inhibitors and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) onset. This study investigated the reporting prevalence and evaluated the clinical features and management of IL-17 inhibitor-related IBD events. Methods: We used the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database and retrieved data, from 2015 to 2022, on IL-17 inhibitors to identify gastrointestinal inflammatory events and conduct disproportionality analyses by estimating the reporting odds ratios (RORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Furthermore, case reports and case series, from 2015 to 30 November 2022, on IBD induced by IL-17 inhibitors were collected for retrospective analysis. Results: A total of 388 cases of primary suspected IL-17 inhibitor-associated gastrointestinal events were reported (268 IBD and 120 colitis), including 348 cases involving secukinumab (SEC), 36 cases involving ixekizumab (IXE), and 4 cases involving brodalumab (BRO). Statistically significant reporting rates of total IBD events were observed for SEC and IXE (ROR = 2.13, 95% CI [1.96-2.30] and ROR = 2.79, 95% CI [2.39-3.27], respectively), whereas BRO did not trigger a safety signal. Twenty-nine studies, which included 34 cases, showed evidence of IBD, following SEC (79.4%) and IXE (20.6%) treatment. The median age was 42 years; typical initial symptoms included diarrhea (90.9%), abdominal pain (57.6%), bloody diarrhea (51.5%), and fever (36.4%). The median time to onset of IBD symptoms was 2.9 months. Some cases were accompanied by elevated white blood cell (WBC) count (87.5%), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR; 85.7%), C-reactive protein (CRP; 100%), and fecal calprotectin (FC; 100%). Cessation of IL-17 inhibitors plus treatment with corticosteroids and TNF antagonists, as either monotherapy or in combination, could lead to complete clinical remission. The median time to remission after IL-17 inhibitor discontinuation was 4 weeks. Conclusion: IL-17 inhibitor treatment is associated with exacerbation and new onset of IBD and colitis. Obtaining a detailed patient history before initiation of treatment and monitoring gastrointestinal symptoms and intestinal inflammatory biomarkers during IL-17 inhibitor treatment is important for safe use of these drugs.

Intestinal Epithelial Responses to IL-17 in Adult Stem Cell-derived Human Intestinal Organoids

BACKGROUND

Th17 cells and their signature cytokine, interleukin-17A [IL-17], are considered as the main pathogenic factors in inflammatory bowel diseases [IBDs]. However, IL-17 neutralising antibodies, a theoretically curative medication for IBDs, paradoxically aggravated intestinal inflammation. The mechanisms by which IL-17 mediates the protective and pathological effects of IL-17 remain unclear in the intestinal epithelium.

METHODS

The intestinal epithelial responses induced by IL-17 were evaluated using the human small intestinal organoid [enteroid] model.

RESULTS

Organoid-forming efficiency, cell viability, and proliferation of enteroids were decreased in proportion to IL-17 concentration. The IL-17 induced cytotoxicity was predominantly mediated by pyroptosis with activation of CASP1 and cleavage of GSDMD. Bulk RNA-sequencing revealed the enrichment of secretion signalling in IL-17 treated enteroids, leading to mucin exocytosis. Among its components, PIGR was up-regulated significantly as the concentration of IL-17 increased, resulting in IgA transcytosis. Mucin exocytosis and IgA transcytosis have a protective role against enteric pathogens. Single-cell RNA sequencing identified that CASP1-mediated pyroptosis occurred actively in intestinal stem cells [ISCs] and enterocytes. IL-17 neutralising antibody completely restored IL-17 induced cytotoxicity, but suppressed mucin secretion and IgA transcytosis. Pyroptosis inhibition using CASP1 inhibitors significantly improved IL-17 induced cytotoxicity without diminishing its beneficial effects.

CONCLUSIONS

IL-17 induces the pyroptosis of ISCs and enterocytes, as well as mucin secretion of goblet cells and IgA transcytosis of epithelial cells. Paradoxical gastrointestinal effects of IL-17 neutralising antibodies may be associated with inhibition of mucin secretion and IgA transcytosis. The inhibition of pyroptosis using CASP1 inhibitors prevents IL-17 induced cytotoxicity without compromising its beneficial effects.

Severe drug-associated colitis with Crohn's features in setting of ixekizumab therapy for chronic plaque psoriasis

Background

Ixekizumab is monoclonal antibody targeted against interleukin-17 (IL-17) and has been approved for use in chronic plaque psoriasis. Despite its efficacy in treating psoriasis, concerns have been raised regarding Ixekizumab’s potential to induce and exacerbate inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Case presentation

Here we report the new onset of severe drug-associated colitis with surgical complications in a 45-year-old male patient who was receiving Ixekizumab therapy for chronic plaque psoriasis. Review of the patient’s colonic pathology demonstrated acute inflammatory changes with features of Crohn’s disease. The patient remained disease-free 9-months following his hospitalization and cessation of Ixekizumab.

Conclusions

This case raises suspicion for an association between Ixekizumab and IBD and calls on clinicians to have heightened awareness of potential risks before prescribing anti-IL-17 agents.

Gastroenterological safety of IL-17 inhibitors: a systematic literature review

INTRODUCTION

Interleukin 17 is a proinflammatory cytokine considered to play a significant role in the immunopathogenesis of many chronic immune-mediated disorders. Interleukin 17 inhibitors provide an excellent treatment option for patients with psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis. However, Interleukin 17 inhibitors have been suspected of worsening or triggering new-onset inflammatory bowel disease.

AREAS COVERED

A literature search was conducted until March 2021 to investigate reporting prevalence, and characteristics of all gastroenterological adverse events in patients treated with Interleukin 17 inhibitors. One hundred and six clinical randomized trials were included, involving 40,053 patients. Inflammatory bowel disease cases were reported in 0.4% of patients exposed to Interleukin 17 inhibitors. The most frequent other gastrointestinal adverse events were diarrhea (2.5%), nausea or vomiting (0.7%), and gastroenteritis (0.2%). Sixty-one uncontrolled or retrospective studies were included, involving 16,791 patients. Sixty (0.36%) inflammatory bowel disease cases were reported, 0.6% of patients reported other gastrointestinal adverse events.

EXPERT OPINION

Interleukin 17 inhibitors are safe and effective in the treatment of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Low incidence rate of developing new-onset inflammatory bowel disease or exacerbating preexisting inflammatory bowel disease with anti-IL-17 agents has been reported. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of these concerns when considering this therapy.