Abstract
Systemic rheumatic diseases are a heterogeneous group of autoimmune diseases affecting connective tissues and multiple organs leading to a reduction or even total loss of their function. Successive understanding of the pathogenesis of these diseases have highlighted the crucial role of the IL-23 /IL-17 signaling pathway on numerous immune functions, bone metabolism, or angiogenesis.
For this reason, IL-17 inhibitors appear to be a promising tool for targeted therapy in a variety of rheumatic diseases. Currently, IL-17 inhibitors are indicated for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), where they are preferred over tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors in certain cases, and for the treatment of axial spondyloarthritis, where they have reached the same level as TNF inhibitor.
Thus, for the time being, a patient with moderate to severe focal psoriasis and/or with psoriatic arthritis or axial spondyloarthritis who has failed conventional therapy remains ideal for treatment with an IL-17 inhibitor.