Mucosal, Opportunistic Infections Common Immune-Related Adverse Events With IL-17 Inhibitors

Mucosal and opportunistic infections were the most common immune system-related adverse events in patients treated with interleukin (IL)-17 inhibitors for ankylosing spondylitis, according to study findings published in Inflammopharmacology.

“Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease characterized by immune system dysregulation and inflammation in the joints,” wrote researchers. “IL-17 inhibitors are new biological drugs used to treat ankylosing spondylitis.”

To investigate the risk of immune system-related adverse events with the new medications, researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 studies of patients treated with IL-17 inhibitors compared with placebo. The studies included 1848 patients with ankylosing spondylitis treated with the IL-17 inhibitors secukinumab, ixekizumab, bimekizumab, and netakimab and 764 participants who received placebo.

Results of the study showed the risk of certain immune-related adverse events was significantly higher in patients treated with IL-17 inhibitors compared with placebo. Risk differences were .09 for infection and infestation, .04 for nasopharyngitis, .01 for opportunistic infections, and .04 for neutropenia.

Analysis of studies that reported immune system-related adverse events of IL-17 inhibitors at different time points found significant differences in the occurrence of certain adverse events over time: specifically, infection and infestations, upper respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, and diarrhea.

Reference:
Azadeh H, Alizadeh-Navaei R, Rezaiemanesh A, Rajabinejad M. Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients treated with interleukin (IL)-17 inhibitors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Inflammopharmacology. Published online February 21, 2022. doi:10.1007/s10787-022-00933-z