Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 7, 2026

The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis
Published on: July 11, 2013
Continuous dosing versus interrupted therapy with ixekizumab: an integrated analysis of two phase 3 trials in
A Blauvelt1, K A Papp2, H Sofen3
1Oregon Medical Research Center, Portland, OR, USA.
Background:
Continuous treatment is recommended for patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis; however, treatment may need to be interrupted in routine clinical practice.
Objective:
To assess outcomes in patients continuously treated with ixekizumab versus those who interrupted therapy and were subsequently retreated with ixekizumab (IXE).
Methods:
This analysis used data pooled from two phase 3 trials, UNCOVER-1 and UNCOVER-2. Patients were randomized to placebo (PBO), IXE every 4 (Q4W) or IXE every 2 weeks (Q2W) for 12 weeks. Patients with a static Physician's Global Assessment (sPGA) 0, 1 at Week 12 were rerandomized to IXEQ4W, IXE every 12 weeks (not presented) or PBO. We examined outcomes in patients who were continuously treated (IXEQ2W/IXEQ4W; IXEQ4W/IXEQ4W) or withdrawn (IXEQ2W/PBO; IXEQ4W/PBO), and in patients who were withdrawn and retreated with IXEQ4W for 24 weeks after disease relapse (sPGA ≥3).
Results:
A total of 1226 treated patients achieved an sPGA 0, 1 at Week 12 and entered the maintenance phase; of these patients, 402 and 416 were rerandomized to PBO and IXEQ4W, respectively. Among patients interrupting treatment, 157 (82.2%) of IXEQ4W/PBO and 176 (83.4%) of IXEQ2W/PBO had an sPGA ≥3 by Week 60; median time to relapse was approximately 20 weeks irrespective of induction dose. At Week 60, continuously treated patients maintained high levels of PASI and sPGA responses (90.0% PASI 75 IXEQ2W/IXEQ4W; 81.9% sPGA 0, 1 IXEQ2W/IXEQ4W, non-responder imputation). After 24 weeks of retreatment with IXEQ4W (IXEQ2W/PBO/IXEQ4W and IXEQ4W/PBO/IXEQ4W), 87.0% (107 of 123) and 95.1% (97 of 102) (observed), respectively, of patients recaptured PASI 75 and 70.7% (104 of 147) and 82.3% (107 of 130) (observed) recaptured an sPGA 0, 1. Overall, adverse events in continuously treated and retreated patients were comparable.
Conclusion:
High levels of response were sustained with continuous ixekizumab treatment through 60 weeks. Most patients who were withdrawn experienced disease relapse, and most of those patients recaptured response after 24 weeks of retreatment.
More Related Videos
07:38Multimodal Quantitative Phase Imaging with Digital Holographic Microscopy Accurately Assesses Intestinal Inflammation and Epithelial Wound Healing
Published on: September 13, 2016
08:38Quantification of the Immunosuppressant Tacrolimus on Dried Blood Spots Using LC-MS/MS
Published on: November 8, 2015
Related Concept Videos
Drug Accumulation During Multiple Dosing: Intermittent IV Infusions
Dosage Regimen: Fixed Dose
Fixed-dose regimens can be used for various routes of administration, including intravenous (IV) injections and oral medications. For IV administration, a predetermined amount of the drug is...
IV Infusion to Oral Dosing: Conversion Methods
Drug Accumulation During Multiple Dosing: Repetitive IV Injections
Dosage Interval and Administration Route: Determination Methods
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents