Biologic
RCSB PDB 3HMX
Ustekinumab
Stelara
- Mechanism of action
- IL-12 / IL-23 antagonist (mAb)
- In plain language
- A lab-made antibody that blocks two inflammation-driving signals (IL-12 and IL-23), calming conditions like psoriasis.
- How it works
- Ustekinumab is a human IgG1 kappa monoclonal antibody that binds with high specificity to the p40 protein subunit shared by the cytokines IL-12 and IL-23. By binding p40, it prevents these cytokines from engaging their shared cell-surface receptor chain on immune cells such as T cells and natural killer cells, blocking downstream signaling cascades that drive Th1 and Th17 immune responses.
- Therapeutic applications
- FDA-indicated for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in patients 6 and older, active psoriatic arthritis in patients 6 and older, moderately to severely active Crohn's disease in patients 2 and older, and moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adults.
- Class
- Monoclonal antibody
- Therapeutic area
- Immunology
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