Publications by authors named "Mark I L Watling"
Objective: Evaluate the efficacy and safety of dual neutralisation of interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-17F with bimekizumab, a monoclonal IgG1 antibody, in addition to certolizumab pegol (CZP) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and inadequate response (IR) to certolizumab pegol.
Methods: During this phase 2a, double-blind, proof-of-concept (PoC) study (NCT02430909), patients with moderate-to-severe RA received open-label CZP 400 mg at Weeks 0, 2 and 4, and 200 mg at Week 6. Patients with IR at Week 8 (Disease Activity Score 28-joint count C-reactive protein (DAS28(CRP))>3.
Article Synopsis
- IL-17A is crucial for inflammation in immune diseases, but the role of IL-17F is less understood; the study hypothesizes that both contribute to chronic inflammation and that targeting both may be more effective.
- Preclinical tests showed that IL-17F triggers similar inflammatory reactions as IL-17A, and the clinical trial of bimekizumab (a drug neutralizing both IL-17A and IL-17F) demonstrated better inflammation control compared to targeting IL-17A alone.
- Results from the trial indicate that dual inhibition significantly improved patient outcomes in psoriatic arthritis by reducing symptoms in skin and joints, supporting the importance of IL-17F in inflammatory processes.