Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Growth Retardation in a Psoriasis Patient on Ustekinumab

The use of a biologic agent, ustekinumab, for psoriasis has lead to an observation of tumor growth retardation in a patient with unresectable pancreatic cancer. High circulating levels of interleukin-23 have been found in certain cancers.

This case report of an 86 year old gentleman with psoriasis and pancreatic cancer highlights a pre-liminary role of interleukin 23 blockade in altering the tumor microenvironment of certain cancers to influence their growth and metastases.

29 months since his diagnosis this patients remains well with no metastases, no secondary symptoms from an obstructive malignancy, and has demonstrated no significant tumor progression despite no curative therapy. Ustekinumab has been the only immunotherapy he has received since his diagnosis and his existing medications remained unchanged. Preliminary evidence for interleukin 23 inhibition and tumor retardation is present however larger studies investigating in vivo levels of interleukin 23 in cancer patients and subsequent blockade is necessary to substantiate a possible new target in pancreatic cancer.