Methods of treating psoriasis by administration of antibodies to the p40 subunit of IL-12 and/or IL-23

1. A method of treating psoriasis in a subject comprising

administering to the subject an antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, which is capable of binding to an epitope of the p40 subunit of IL-12 and/or IL-23, for a first extended period of at least about 4 weeks, wherein the subject achieves at least a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 75 response by at least about week 12 following initial administration of the antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof,

discontinuing administration of the antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, for at least about 12 weeks following the first extended period of administration, wherein the subject exhibits a loss of response by a decrease in PASI score to less than PASI 50 following discontinuation, and

re-administering the antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, to the subject for a second extended period of at least about 4 weeks, wherein the subject achieves at least a PASI 75 response by at least about 60 days following re-administration of the antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof,

thereby treating psoriasis in the subject.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject achieves at least a PASI 75 response by about 50 days or about 25 days following re-administration of the antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein initial administration of the antibody is for at least about 8 weeks or at least about 12 weeks.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, is administered weekly or biweekly.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, is administered in a single dose.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, is administered in a dose of about 100 mg or about 200 mg.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the psoriasis is chronic psoriasis.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject exhibits a loss of response by a decrease in PASI score to less than PASI 50 by about 120 days or 180 days following discontinuation of administration of the antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, is administered in a dose of about 50 mg to about 300 mg.

10. A method of treating psoriasis in a subject comprising

administering to the subject an antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, which is capable of binding to an epitope of the p40 subunit of IL-12 and/or IL-23, for a first extended period of at least about 4 weeks, wherein the subject exhibits a PASI 75 response by at least about week 12 following initial administration of the antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof,

discontinuing administration of the antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, for at least about 60 days following the first extended period of administration, wherein the subject exhibits a loss of response by a decrease in PASI score to less than PASI 50 by at least about 60 days following discontinuation, and

re-administering the antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, to the subject for a second extended period of at least about 4 weeks, wherein the subject achieves at least a PASI 75 response by at least about 25 days following re-administration of the antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof,

thereby treating psoriasis in the subject.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, is administered to the subject for a first extended period of at least about 8 weeks or at least about 12 weeks.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, is administered or re-administered weekly.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, is administered or re-administered biweekly.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, is administered or re-administered in a single dose.

15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, is administered in a dose of about 100 mg.

16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, is administered in a dose of about 200 mg.

17. The method of claim 10 , wherein the antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, is administered in a dose of about 50 mg to about 300 mg.

18. The method of claim 10 , wherein the psoriasis is chronic psoriasis.