Spesolimab mechanism of action in the treatment of generalized pustular psoriasis

In this animated video article, we show normal interleukin 36 (IL-36) signaling and review unopposed IL-36 signaling in people with generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) to demonstrate the mechanism of action of spesolimab in treating GPP flare. 

Dysfunction of the IL-36 pathway has a key role in the pathogenesis of GPP, a chronic, systemic inflammatory disease with an unpredictable and heterogeneous clinical course. 

Spesolimab is a first-in-class humanized monoclonal antibody that binds specifically to the IL-36 receptor to antagonize IL-36 signaling, and inhibit downstream activation of proinflammatory pathways. 

Spesolimab is approved in 48 countries as an intravenous dosage for the treatment of GPP flares in adults; it is approved in the United States and China in adults and pediatric patients (aged ≥12 years; body weight ≥40 kg) as an intravenous dosage to treat GPP flares and as a subcutaneous dosage to treat GPP when not experiencing a flare.  

Meet the authors:

Jason E. Hawkes, MD, MS 

Dr. Jason Hawkes is a board-certified dermatologist in Portland, Oregon, United States. He is a Councilor in the International Psoriasis Council (IPC) and serves on the Medical Board and Scientific Advisory Committee of the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF). Dr. Hawkes is the Co-owner, Chief Scientific Officer, and Investigator at the Oregon Medical Research Center (OMRC) in Portland, Oregon.  

Sudha Visvanathan, PhD 

Dr. Sudha Visvanathan is Vice-President and Head of Translational Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology US, and Head of Global Translational Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology Inflammation, at Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, Connecticut, United States.  

James G. Krueger, MD, PhD 

Dr. Jim Krueger is Head of the Laboratory for Investigative Dermatology at the Rockefeller University, New York City, United States. He is a board-certified dermatologist and serves as a physician, Co-director of the Center for Clinical and Translational Science at the Rockefeller University Hospital, and Chief Executive Officer of the Rockefeller University Hospital.