Ixekizumab (Taltz or IXE) is one of the newer anti-IL-17 antibodies available to patient as an injectable biologic medication. We looked into patient’s adherence, preferences and satisfaction in those treated with this medication. These three outcomes are inextricably linked as both preferences and satisfaction can have an impact on adherence; also preferences and adherence can affect satisfaction; and satisfaction can affect preferences. This makes isolating information for each of these separately very difficult, and typically surrogate measures have to be used.
A quick word on Ixekizumab (Taltz or IXE). This is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to and inactivates Il-17A. In this action, IXE inhibits downstream molecules resulting in inflammation. IXE was approved by the FDA for the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in 2016. Treatment requires a loading phase of injections every 2-weeks (for the first 12 weeks), followed by injections every 4-weeks thereafter. It features an overall favorable and comparable (to other biologics) safety profile.
Overall, treatment with IXE is favorable in terms of patient adherence, preferences and satisfaction – indicating a positive treatment experience in general. Throughout literature it has been shown to be equal or superior to its competitors on the market. Literature does highlight the importance in matching patient preferences as closely as possible with a close patient-physician relationship and discussion surrounding treatments. Typically, different genders and ages will prioritize different facets of care and treatment – and it is very important to both satisfaction and adherence outcomes to match these preferences with a respective treatment.
