Secukinumab ( Cosentyx ) has met the primary endpoints in two new clinical studies, showing superior efficacy compared to placebo in patients with psoriasis of the palms, soles and nails, all difficult-to-treat locations of plaque psoriasis.
Findings were presented at the 23rd World Congress of Dermatology ( WCD ) in Vancouver, Canada.

In the GESTURE study in patients with moderate-to-severe palmoplantar psoriasis, Secukinumab ( 300 mg ) was superior to placebo at week 16 in achieving clear or almost clear palms and soles as assessed using the Palmoplantar Investigator's Global Assessment ( 33.3% vs. 1.5%; P less than 0.0001 ).

Similarly, in the TRANSFIGURE study in patients with significant nail psoriasis, Secukinumab ( 300 mg ) was superior to placebo at week 16, as assessed by mean improvement ( decrease ) in the Nail Psoriasis Severity Index ( NAPSI ) compared to baseline ( -45.3% vs -10.8%; P less than 0.0001 ).

The safety profile of Secukinumab in both studies was comparable to previously reported phase III clinical trials.

Estimated to affect as many as 90% of all psoriasis patients at some point in their lifetime, psoriasis of the palms, soles and nails is extremely difficult to treat and often requires biologic treatment to control.
Patients with these locations of psoriasis endure significantly greater physical disabilities than those whose psoriasis is limited to other parts of the body.
Patients may experience difficulty walking, more pronounced burning sensation and difficulty grasping and handling objects, skin soreness and difficulty participating in recreational activities, social and workplace interactions.
Nail psoriasis is a significant predictor of psoriatic arthritis, an important comorbidity of psoriasis.

GESTURE has the largest sample size ( n=205 ) and longest duration ( 132-week treatment period ) of any biologic study in moderate-to-severe palmoplantar psoriasis and represents an important achievement in research in a patient population that has been underrepresented in psoriasis trials.

TRANSFIGURE is the largest ( n=198 ) and longest duration ( 132-week treatment period ) randomized controlled study of a biologic in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis with significant nail psoriasis to report results to date.

Secukinumab is a human monoclonal antibody that selectively neutralizes circulating interleukin-17A. IL-17A is a protein found in high concentrations in skin affected by the disease.
Cosentyx is the first and only interleukin-17A ( IL-17A ) inhibitor approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. ( Xagena )

Source: Novartis, 2015

XagenaMedicine2015