II. Indications

  1. Severe Plaque Psoriasis
  2. Psoriatic Arthritis
  3. Moderate to Severe Crohn's Disease

III. Contraindications

  1. Serious infection
  2. High risk of malignancy

IV. Mechanism

  1. Humanized Monoclonal Antibody against the Interleukins IL-12 and IL-23 (at P40 Protein subunit)
  2. Immunomodulating activity, inhibiting CD4 positive T cells from differentiating into Th1 and Th17 cells
  3. Results in specifically reduced Th1 and Th17 specific immune function and associated Cytokine release
    1. May prevent Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD)

V. Precautions

  1. Prepare for Monoclonal Antibody use with infection screening (e.g. Tuberculosis) and Immunizations
    1. See Monoclonal Antibody

VI. Dosing

  1. Severe Plaque Psoriasis or Psoriatic Arthritis (adults or age >12 years)
    1. Weight <100 kg
      1. Induction: Inject 45 mg SQ at 0 and 4 weeks
      2. Maintenance: 45 mg SQ every 12 weeks
    2. Weight >100 kg
      1. Induction: Inject 90 mg SQ at 0 and 4 weeks
      2. Maintenance: 90 mg SQ every 12 weeks
  2. Moderate to Severe Crohns Disease
    1. Induction
      1. Weight <=55 kg: Infuse 260 mg IV over 1 hour via inline Protein binding filter
      2. Weight 56 to 85 kg: infuse 390 mg IV over 1 hour via inline Protein binding filter
      3. Weight >85 kg: Infuse 520 mg IV over 1 hour via inline Protein binding filter
    2. Maintenance
      1. Inject 90 mg SQ every 8 weeks (starting 8 weeks after IV ibfusion)

VII. Safety

  1. Pregnancy Category B
  2. Unknown safety in Lactation

VIII. Adverse Effects

  1. Serious infection
  2. Hypersensitivity
  3. Malignancy exacerbation (e.g. Skin Cancer)
  4. Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy

X. References

  1. (2023) Biologics for Crohn's Disease, Presc Lett, #390826
  2. (2023) Drugs for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Med Lett Drug Ther 65: 105-12

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Related Studies

Cost: Medications

stelara (on 7/19/2023 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing)
STELARA 45 MG/0.5 ML SYRINGE $25,519.96 per ml
STELARA 90 MG/ML SYRINGE $24,599.06 per ml

Ontology: ustekinumab (C1608841)

Definition (NCI) An orally available, human, IgG1kappa, monoclonal antibody directed against the p40 protein subunit of both interleukin-12 (IL-12) and IL-23, with immunomodulating activity. Upon administration, ustekinumab binds to the p40 subunit of IL-12 and IL-23, blocking the binding of IL-12 and IL-23 to their interleukin receptors. This inhibits IL-12- and IL-23-mediated signaling and inhibits differentiation of CD4 positive T-cells into Th1 and Th17 cells. This prevents Th1- and Th17-mediated responses and cytokine production. This may prevent graft versus host disease (GVHD). IL-12 and IL-23, cytokines that play a key role in the regulation of the immune system, are upregulated in immune-mediated inflammatory disorders. Both Th1 and Th17 cells play a crucial role in GVHD.
Concepts Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Amino Acid, Peptide, or Protein (T116) , Immunologic Factor (T129)
MSH C504320
SnomedCT 443465002, 443644001
English ustekinumab, USTEKINUMAB, Ustekinumab, Ustekinumab (product), Ustekinumab (substance), Immunoglobulin G1, Anti-(Human Interleukin-12 Subunit beta (IL-12B, CLMF p40, NKSF2)) (Human Monoclonal CNTO 1275 gamma1-chain), Disulfide with Human Monoclonal CNTO 1275 kappa-chain, Dimer
Spanish ustekinumab, ustekinumab (producto), ustekinumab (sustancia)