Ustekinumab, a human interleukin-12/23 monoclonal antibody, in patients with psoriasis: a meta-analysis

To assess the efficacy and safety of ustekinumab for psoriasis.

In this meta-analysis study, we searched The Cochrane Library (2009, 1 issue), MEDLINE (1966 to March 2009), EMBASE (1974 to March 2009), and China Academic Journal Full-text Database (CNKI, 1994-2009/3), China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM, 1978-2009/3), Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP, 1989-2008/3), and Wan fang Database (1999-2009). The quality of included studies was critically evaluated. Data analyses were performed with the Cochrane Collaboration's RevMan 5.0 software.

Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a total of 2316 patients were included in the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis showed significant improvement of the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), dermatology life quality index (DLQI) score or physician's global assessment when receiving ustekinumab compared with patients receiving placebo, while significant differences were noted between the ustekinumab 45 mg group and the ustekinumab 90 mg group in these indexes. There was no statistical significance with regard to adverse effects.

The present study showed ustekinumab to be safe and effective for patients with psoriasis. Future high-quality, long-treatment, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials are needed.