In 2015, the US FDA approved the use of secukinumab for the treatment of psoriasis, a disease caused by chronic inflammation in the skin. Secukinumab is fully human monoclonal antibody against IL-17A. Clinical trials of this treatment indicated an increased rate of infections in patients on secukinumab, the majority of which were upper respiratory tract infections caused by viral or bacterial pathogens. For many of these infections, this side effect of secukinumab can be explained by:
A) Poor recruitment of neutrophils to infected airways
B) Lack of mucus production by airway epithelial cells
C) Poor recruitment of eosinophils to infected airways
D) Enhanced production of antimicrobial peptides by airway epithelial cells
E) Loss of tight junctions between airway epithelial cells

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The increased rate of upper respiratory tract infections caused by viral or bacterial pathogens in patients on secukinumab can be explained by poor recruitment of neutrophils to infected airways. Neutrophils are an important part of the body's immune response to respiratory infections, and their reduced recruitment can lead to an increased susceptibility to infections.

In 2015, the US FDA Approved the Use of Secukinumab