Eczematous reactions in patients with plaque psoriasis receiving biological therapy: an observational study

M. Burlando, M. Megna, G. Caldarola, N. Bernardini, C. Giofré, P. Gisondi, C. De Simone, E. Cozzani

Dermatologic Clinic, D.I.S.S.A.L., Genoa University, Genoa, Italy. martina.burlando@unige.it

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• Neurology

OBJECTIVE: The use of biologic agents, mainly tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-17A inhibitors, was associated with cutaneous side effects, but the factors associated with eczematous reactions occurring during biologic treatments are not completely known.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: An observational, retrospective, multicentre Italian study evaluated the clinical features and the management of eczematous eruptions in 54 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis who developed eczema after treatment with biological agents (anti-IL-17 or 23).

RESULTS: Many of these patients had personal and family history of atopy. Eczematous reactions developed between a few days and 3 years after initiation of the biologic drug. The highest proportion of cases associated with eczematous reactions during biologic treatments was seen in patients on anti-IL-17 agents, including brodalumab. We observed that eczema rapidly remitted without relapse in all patients who switched to anti-IL-23 agents. Among our cases, fast responders to psoriasis therapy seem to have more persistent eczematous reactions.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with psoriasis and a history of atopic dermatitis should be treated with an IL-23 inhibitor due to its efficacy in psoriasis and the rarely reported eczematous reaction.

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