Itolizumab provides sustained remission in plaque psoriasis: a 5-year follow-up experience

There is an unmet need for psoriasis therapies that provide long-term remission. Itolizumab is a humanized recombinant anti-CD6 monoclonal antibody shown to be effective in psoriasis. We report a patient who received itolizumab in a phase 2 clinical trial, and experienced long-term remission. At baseline, the patient's Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) was 12.2, and Physician's Global Assessment (PGA) score was 3. After 8 weeks of treatment, the patient achieved 97% improvement in PASI. She continued to have ≥ 90% improvement, initially for 4 weeks (follow-up phase), and later for 20 weeks (follow-up extension phase). She continued to visit the hospital after the final study visit; her most recent visit was on 10 May 2013. PGA results during the visits revealed sustained response for 4 years and 5 months after stopping itolizumab. Itolizumab could be therefore an important treatment option for moderate to severe psoriasis, with potential to provide long-lasting remission.