Actualización en terapia biológica para psoriasis y artritis psoriática (parte I): moléculas pequeñas, inhibidores de JAK y agentes biológicos (inhibidores IL-17)

Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease associated with cardiovascular comorbidities, metabolic syndrome, neoplasms, psychiatric impairment, and arthritis, among others, which affect patients’ quality of life, as well as their life expectancy. Even though it is a multifactorial process of unknown causes, its relationship to class 1 HLA alleles and their polymorphisms has been described. Its physiopathology involves a dysregulation of the systemic inflammatory response —mediated by T Helper lymphocytes, dermal cells, cytokines, and interleukins—, as well as their interactions with keratinocytes and synovial cells. This triggers differentiation of lymphocytes towards a Th 17 phenotype, which activates inflammatory processes mediated mainly by interleukin 17 (IL-17), with the subsequent proliferation of keratinocytes and inflammatory and angiogenic mediators, resulting in the typical cutaneous and osteoarticular clinical features. Biological agents are recombinant proteins produced in different cell lines aimed at interrupting inflammatory pathways in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, specifically, immune or genetic mediators involved in the progression of these diseases, ultimately targeting the IL-23 / IL-17 axis. This review aims to discuss the most recent literature regarding the use of small molecules, JAK inhibitors, and biological agents (IL-17 inhibitors) in the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, mainly referring to their efficacy and safety. Using these molecules means a fundamental change in the approach to patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. As a specific mediator-targeted therapy, it enhances effectiveness, and at the same time, reduces the associated adverse effects. Therefore, it is essential to know how they work from a physiopathological point of view, as well as assessing their effectiveness in humans through randomized clinical trials. Current knowledge allows us to conclude that despite biological agents being the best treatment option in psoriasis as well as in psoriatic arthritis, comparative studies —among drugs of the same group and groups— are still required. Besides, their high price is another problem to solve before they can be massively used in these patients.