Targeting IL-17A for the treatment of pustular psoriasis: a comprehensive review

Introduction Pustular psoriasis (PP) is a rare subtype of psoriasis. Overall, the growing evidence – in particular for acute generalized PP (GPP) – supports that it is a separate entity with a specific pathogenetic pathway. Interleukin (IL)-17/T-helper 17 (Th17) axis involvement may play an important role in the pathophysiology of PP. Biologicals, often required to achieve clinical remission, have changed the treatment of PP.Areas covered We provide the reader with an overview of all the available evidence on the use of the antibody-based therapy targeting IL-17A in patients with PP.Expert opinion Although papers reported in this review do not provide definitive evidence (due to methodological limitations) to support the use of IL-17 inhibitors as potential first-line for the treatment of PP, based on our own experience and according to most of the reported literature, targeting IL-17A, may represent the best therapeutical approach in this peculiar clinical spectrum of psoriasis.