Could Stelara be aiming at the wrong target

[Fred]

This study is suggesting that Stelara (ustekinumab) could be aiming at the wrong target. The study from Researchers at the University of Zurich and the Center of Allergy and Environment in Munich suggests that IL-12 could actually be beneficial to patients with psoriasis.

Quote:

---

Abstract:

Neutralization of the common p40-subunit of IL-12/23 in psoriasis patients has led to a breakthrough in the management of moderate to severe disease. Aside from neutralizing IL-23, which is thought to be responsible for the curative effect, anti-p40 therapy also interferes with IL-12 signalling and type 1 immunity.

Here we dissect the individual contribution of these two cytokines to the formation of psoriatic lesions and understand the effect of therapeutic co-targeting of IL-12 and IL-23 in psoriasis.

Using a preclinical model for psoriatic plaque formation we show that IL-12, in contrast to IL-23, has a regulatory function by restraining the invasion of an IL-17-committed γδT (γδT17) cell subset.

We discover that IL-12 receptor signalling in keratinocytes initiates a protective transcriptional programme that limits skin inflammation, suggesting that collateral targeting of IL-12 by anti-p40 monoclonal antibodies is counterproductive in the therapy of psoriasis.

Source: nature.com

[jiml]

Well if its targeting the wrong cells, it's still proved more effective than most other biologicals at controlling the disease

[Fred]

Well if its targeting the wrong cells, it's still proved more effective than most other biologicals at controlling the disease

Good point Jim. I tried Remicade, Humira, Enbrel befor Stlara and as you know it was Stelara that gave me my life back and I was on it for over 6 years.

So it does make interesting reading.

[AmandaL]

I knew that Stelara targeted different cells from the other biologics but interesting that they think it's the wrong ones.

[jiml]

I knew that Stelara targeted different cells from the other biologics but interesting that they think it's the wrong ones.

Yes it's strange as it seems to be the most effective biological, so it must be blocking something, most members using it give it good reviews although it does seem to lose efficacy after long term use.

[Fred]

I knew that Stelara targeted different cells from the other biologics but interesting that they think it's the wrong ones.

Stelara Targets interleukin 12 and interleukin 23. So maybe the 23 was doing a good job and could have possibly done better on it's own.?

Plus Stelara is also used Chrones so 12 maybe helpful for that?

The two newbies Cosentyx and Taltz aim for 17

And it's worth noting that two more in the pipeline Guselkumab and BI 655066 are both going after IL-23