Ixekizumab in the Treatment of Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris (PRP)

Pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) is a rare and poorly understood severe inflammatory skin disease characterized by widespread (often full-body) redness and flaking of the skin, painful thickening and cracking of the palms and soles, hair loss, crumbling nails, and severe skin itching and burning. There is no FDA-approved therapy for this rare disease and the commonly used medications do not work for many patients. There is some evidence that IL-17 may be too high in the skin of PRP patients. Ixekizumab is an injectable medication that blocks IL-17 and is FDA-approved for psoriasis.