PASI 90/100, DLQI 0/1, and IL-17 Receptor/Cytokine: Does it Make a Difference and Are We Ambitious Enough?

Abstract

The main objectives of the symposium were to review recent evidence on what difference targeting Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) 90 or 100 and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) 0 or 1 treatment outcomes, or targeting the IL-17 cytokine or receptor, make to patients with psoriasis and whether our current approaches are ambitious enough. Prof Griffiths introduced the symposium and discussed the importance of recognising that psoriasis is stigmatising for patients and that clear skin plays a major role in reducing the burden of disease. Prof Griffiths then provided an overview of approaches to assessing psoriasis disease severity, such as PASI, and described recent clinical efficacy data indicating that a treatment outcome of PASI 90 and even PASI 100 response is a realistic aim. Dr Chiricozzi explained the evidence for the role of the IL-17 cytokine family in psoriasis pathogenesis and inflammation and how the only therapeutic strategy to simultaneously block all the inflammatory signals stimulated by IL-17 cytokines is blockade of the IL-17 receptor subunit A (IL-17RA). Finally, Prof Augustin discussed the importance of patient-reported outcomes (PRO) in obtaining the patients’ perspective on the value of treatment. He described the use of DLQI in practice and summarised findings from real-world studies that demonstrated that DLQI 0 or 1 highly reflects patient benefit from treatment.