Data show secukinumab superior in treating psoriasis

Novartis announced recently the publication of the head-to-head CLEAR study demonstrating that secukinumab is superior to ustekinumab in delivering long-lasting clear or almost clear skin over one year of treatment in adults with moderate to severe psoriasis. The results were published in the Journal of the American Academy of

Dermatology (JAAD). “Data reinforce secukinumab as the leading treatment of choice in the fight against psoriasis, helping many more patients realize the goal of long-lasting skin clearance,” Dr. Francis Domingo, chief scientific officer, Novartis Healthcare Philippines said. “Secukinumab has set a new standard against older treatments, as we see in this study.”

Secukinumab achieved a significantly higher Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) 90 response (clear to almost clear skin). It was previously reported that at Week 16 with secukinumab, approximately eight out of 10 patients achieved clear or almost clear skin.

The authors described the high rates of completely clear skin (PASI 100) as “especially noteworthy” as at the start of the study, patients had on average one-third of their body area affected by psoriasis, and no other psoriasis treatments were allowed to be used during the study.

The effect of superior skin clearance with secukinumab translated into significant improvements in quality of life for patients.

After one year, more people in the secukinumab group reported no impact of skin disease on their lives as reported using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI).

Secukinumab also led to significant positive effects on work productivity and overall daily activity of psoriasis patients.

Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of the disease and appears as raised, red patches covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells. Psoriasis is not simply a cosmetic problem, but a persistent, long-lasting, and sometimes distressing disease, which can affect even the smallest aspects of people’s lives on a daily basis.

Up to 30% of patients with psoriasis have, or will, develop psoriatic arthritis, in which the joints are affected, causing debilitating symptoms including pain, stiffness and irreversible joint damage. Psoriasis is also associated with other serious health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and depression.