Risankizumab as a Therapeutic Approach for Recalcitrant Pyoderma Gangrenosum

Abstract

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a neutrophilic dermatosis that is challenging to diagnose and treat. Clinicians frequently use fast-acting corticosteroids, which are subsequently combined with slower-acting immunosuppressants to progressively taper the corticosteroid dosage. Current research is focused on the use of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against target molecules involved in the pathogenesis of PG. However, available data on their efficacy are based on sporadic case reports and clinical experiences, so the authors aimed to evaluate the efficacy of risankizumab, an anti-interleukin-23 mAb, in the management of two complex PG cases. The authors enrolled two patients with PG who were already treated with immunosuppressive therapies. Their management was based on the off-label use of an mAb directed against the p19 subunit of interleukin-23: risankizumab. Patients received subcutaneous injections of 150 mg at the start of treatment, at week 4, and then every 10 weeks thereafter. Systemic therapy was combined with local management of ulcers, based on the principles of TIME (tissue, infection, moisture balance, and epithelialization) applied to the inflammatory and noninflammatory phases of PG. Clinical resolution was obtained at week 24 for patient 1 and week 16 for patient 2 and was maintained until week 40, without adverse effects or disease recurrence. These clinical cases demonstrate that risankizumab is a valid tool in terms of efficacy and safety for complicated cases of multirefractory PG when provided in parallel with local personalized wound management.