INTRODUCTION
Plaque psoriasis is a chronic, relapsing systemic illness that has a significant effect on quality of life.1-3 New biologic therapies targeting tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-12/23, IL-17, and IL-23 have demonstrated efficacy and safety for the treatment of plaque psoriasis.4 The IL-17 class of biologic therapies includes secukinumab and ixekizumab, which target IL-17A,5,6 and brodalumab, which targets IL-17RA.7 Bimekizumab, the first monoclonal IgG antibody to target both IL-17A and IL-17F, was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of plaque psoriasis.8 Clinical trial data as well as real-world studies have revealed bimekizumab’s rapid and long-lasting clinical efficacy for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.9-15
The safety profile of bimekizumab has been extensively studied, demonstrating consistent adverse events to other biologics, apart from an increased incidence of oral candidiasis.16 Several important safety considerations for bimekizumab include its effects on the liver, rates of oral candidiasis, relationship with suicidal ideation and behavior (SIB), and rates of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (specifically Crohn's disease). As bimekizumab has been recently approved in the United States for plaque psoriasis and clinicians will begin prescribing it, a thorough evaluation of these safety considerations is vital. The purpose of this study was for a panel of experts in psoriasis to evaluate the current literature and provide consensus statements on the safety of bimekizumab.
The safety profile of bimekizumab has been extensively studied, demonstrating consistent adverse events to other biologics, apart from an increased incidence of oral candidiasis.16 Several important safety considerations for bimekizumab include its effects on the liver, rates of oral candidiasis, relationship with suicidal ideation and behavior (SIB), and rates of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (specifically Crohn's disease). As bimekizumab has been recently approved in the United States for plaque psoriasis and clinicians will begin prescribing it, a thorough evaluation of these safety considerations is vital. The purpose of this study was for a panel of experts in psoriasis to evaluate the current literature and provide consensus statements on the safety of bimekizumab.
