Gut Reaction #14: Risankizumab – Targeting interleukin 23 for Crohn’s disease

The Lancet recently published results from a study which assessed the efficacy and safety of risankizumab, a monoclonal antibody that targets interleukin-23 only (ustekinumab targets interleukin-21 and 23), in patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease.

In this large study, patients were enrolled across 36 different sites in North America, Europe and southeast Asia. They were given either 200mg, 600mg or placebo.

At week 12, 31% of those given risankizumab entered clinical remission (compared with 15% given placebo). The most common side effect was nausea.

This short-term study displays encouraging results – risankizumab was more effective than placebo for inducing clinical remission in patients with active Crohn’s disease. Therefore, the selective blockade of interleukin-23 might be a viable therapeutic option in this challenging disease.

For more information about this treatment option or Crohn’s disease, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Harris.