Biological drugs prescription issues in terms of the new coronaviral infection COVID-19 pandemic. Literature review and clinical case

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The spread of the novel coronaviral infection has set important medical society goals, such as the development of effective treatment and preventive modalities (including biologic agents) for COVID-19. Moreover, during this pandemic, the management of chronically ill patients that require immunosuppressive therapy is also a matter of great concern. Analysis of currently obtained data has concluded that patients treated with biologic agents have no elevated risk for COVID-19. Leading medical societies give an opinion in their clinical guidelines that management with biologic drugs should be continued during the COVID-19 pandemic. The feasibility of initiating treatment with a biologic agent depends on the risk-benefit ratio for the drug, the assessment of possible complications along with the associated risks for a poor outcome because of an underlying disease.

CASE REPORT: We present a case report of a patient with erythrodermic psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis treated with ixekizumab during COVID-19 quarantine.

Keywords

biologic therapy / novel coronavirus COVID-19 / cytokine storm syndrome / interleukin 6 / tumor necrosis factor / interleukin 1 / interleukin 18 / interferon / psoriasis, IL-17 blocker / ixekizumab

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