Secukinumab Provides Sustained Improvements in Psoriatic Arthritis

New data presented at the annual meeting show that secukinumab (SEC) provided sustained
improvements in the signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) through five years of treatment. Efficacy improved with dose escalation, and the treatment was well tolerated, with a safety profile similar to earlier reports.

SEC is a fully human monoclonal IgG1 antibody that selectively targets interleukin-17A. In previous reports from the FUTURE study, SEC was shown to provide rapid and significant improvements in all
key clinical domains of (PsA) through three years.

The original study included 606 adults with active PsA, and 460 entered the extension study. The amended protocol indicated that patients would receive dose escalation from 150 mg to 300 mg and from 75 mg to 150/300 mg from week 156 based on physician judgment.

At week 260, assessments included American College of Rheumatology 20/50/70 Criteria, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 90 score, Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index, and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey Physical Component Summary, as well as whether dactylitis and enthesitis resolved.

Philip J. Mease, MD, of the University of Washington in Seattle, and colleagues reported that more than 80% of patients who entered the extension study completed five years of treatment, and clinical responses were sustained or further improved through five years of treatment. Furthermore, 86 of 236 patients (36.4%) receiving SEC 150 mg were escalated to 300 mg, and 180 of 221 patients (81.4%) receiving SEC 75 mg were escalated to 150/300 mg. Dose escalation improved efficacy.