FAQ: Can You Recapture Response to IL-17i Therapy After Interruption or Discontinuation in Therapy?

Join Audrey Gibson, PA-C, a seasoned rheumatology provider at the Arthritis Center of North Georgia with 18 years of clinical experience, as she explores the question: Can patients recapture their response to IL-17 inhibitor therapy after an interruption or discontinuation?

In this discussion, Audrey reviews key findings from a pivotal clinical trial by Landewé et al., which examined the recapture and retreatment rates of Ixekizumab in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) after therapy withdrawal. The randomized, placebo-controlled study followed 155 patients with axSpA who achieved remission and were either continued on Ixekizumab or switched to placebo.

Key results from the study revealed that 96% of patients who withdrew to placebo were able to recapture low disease activity upon retreatment, while 71% regained inactive disease status. These findings offer critical insights for rheumatology providers counseling patients who experience therapy interruptions due to illness, infection, surgery, or personal choice.

This discussion provides a valuable clinical perspective on IL-17 inhibitor retreatment strategies and helps answer common patient concerns about treatment withdrawal and re-initiation.

For more expert insights on IL-17 inhibition and axial spondyloarthritis management, visit RhAPP.org or explore additional educational content on the RhAPP ACE App.