What is known and objective
To assess the efficacy and safety of interleukin‐17 inhibitors (ixekizumab, secukinumab, bimekizumab, netakimab and brodalumab) in chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases, including ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
Methods
A comprehensive search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating efficacy and safety of interleukin‐17 inhibitors was performed through PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases. Quality assessment was performed using the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool. Data were pooled using the fixed or random‐effects models.
Results and discussion
Twenty RCTs were identified: of these 9 studies on patients with AS and 11 studies on patients with PsA. Concerning clinical efficacy, a pooled analysis showed interleukin‐17 inhibitors had a higher response rate for the primary endpoint (p < 0.05) and secondary endpoint (p < 0.05) at the treatment endpoint for AS/PsA patients. Moreover, an increased risk of treatment‐emergent adverse events and infection was found in AS patients (p < 0.05). In contrast, no increased risk of any adverse events was reported in PsA patients.
What is new and conclusion
In this meta‐analysis, our findings found interleukin‐17 inhibitors had a significant clinical benefit in the management of AS/PsA patients.