Novartis announced, first of its kind phase III data showing Cosentyx (secukinumab) delivered high and long-lasting skin clearance in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis at 5 years. These data were presented for the first time at the 26th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress in Geneva, Switzerland.
By specifically targeting interleukin-17A (IL-17A), Cosentyx addresses the key cytokine involved in the development of psoriasis. IL-17A plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Inhibiting IL-17A is important as up to 30% of patients with psoriasis may have PsA.
“These final data are meaningful for dermatologists as they show that the high efficacy and safety of secukinumab was sustained over the 5-year treatment period.”, said Dr. Robert Bissonnette, Innovaderm Research, Montreal, Canada.
“The 5-year data reinforce Cosentyx as an important treatment option for those people living with psoriasis who aspire for skin clearance that can last,” said Vas Narasimhan, Global Head, Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer, Novartis. “Cosentyx is the first and only IL-17A inhibitor approved for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis and has been prescribed to more than 100,000 patients since launch.”
Clear skin is the aim of psoriasis treatment, and a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 75, 90 or 100 response is considered an important measure of treatment success. Over the extended treatment period from Year 1 (Week 52) to the end of Year 5 (Week 260), PASI 75/90/100 response rates remained consistent. PASI 75 and PASI 90 response rates were achieved by 89% and 69% of psoriasis patients, respectively, at Year 1 (‘as observed’ analysis) and this high rate was maintained to Year 5 (89% and 66%, respectively). In addition, 44% of psoriasis patients achieved completely clear skin (PASI 100) at Year 1 and this rate was maintained to Year 5 (41%). Cosentyx continued to have a favorable and consistent safety profile, and low immunogenicity.
To date, more than 100,000 patients worldwide have been prescribed Cosentyx in the post-marketing setting across all indications. In addition, 2017 marks 10 years since the first patient, first visit in a clinical trial with Cosentyx.
