Ustekinumab

Description

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that affects approximately 2-3% of the world’s population. The most common form of the disease is plaque psoriasis, which is a result of dysregulated cell growth. Conventional treatment options for psoriasis include topical corticosteroids, phototherapy, and systemic drugs (oral retinoids, cyclosporine, and MTX), but all of these therapies have limitations. Ustekinumab is the latest biologic to be approved for the treatment of plaque psoriasis. It is a human IgG1k monoclonal antibody that binds with high affinity and specificity to the p40 protein subunit used by both the interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interleukin-23 (IL-23) cytokines. IL-12 and IL-23 are naturally occurring cytokines that are involved in inflammatory and immune responses, such as NK cell activation and CD4+ T-cell differentiation and activation. In in vitro models, ustekinumab is shown to disrupt IL12- and IL-23-mediated signaling and cytokine cascades by disrupting the interaction of these cytokines with a shared cell-surface receptor chain, IL-121. Ustekinumab is indicated for the treatment of adult patients (18 years or older) with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy.
Adverse events associated with the use of ustekinumab included nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, fatigue, and diarrhea.

Originator

Medarex (US)

Uses

Ustekinumab is used to treat plaque psoriasis, a certain type of arthritis or certain bowel conditions.

brand name

Stelara

IC 50

IL-12; IL-23