Bimekizumab treatment in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis: a drug safety evaluation

Introduction: Biological treatments deeply changed the management of moderate to severe forms of psoriasis. Among available biological therapies, interleukin (IL)-17 inhibitors, secukinumab, ixekizumab, brodalumab, and bimekizumab, represent one of the most rapid and effective biologic class available for psoriasis. Bimekizumab, the latest available IL-17 inhibitor, is a humanized monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig)G1 antibody that acts by neutralizing both IL-17A and IL-17F, showing a unique mechanism of action differing form ixekizumab and secukinumab (selective IL17A inhibitor) as well as brodalumab (antagonist of IL17 receptor). Areas covered: This review aims to evaluate the safety profile of bimekizumab in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Expert opinion: The efficacy and safety of bimekizumab have been reported by several phase II and III clinical trials, even in a longer-term period. Moreover, clinical trials also showed bimekizumab significant higher efficacy compared to other biological classes, including anti-TNF, anti-IL-12/23, and even to another IL-17 inhibitor, secukinumab. Despite numerous biologics are currently available for psoriasis, some patients may result resistant to other treatments, and/or experience psoriatic flares during or after treatment withdrawal. In this scenario, bimekizumab may represent an additional valuable alternative for patients with moderate to severe forms of psoriasis.