Beyond anti-TNF-α agents in psoriatic arthritis

Abstract

Evaluation of: McInnes IB, Sieper J, Braun J et al. Efficacy and safety of secukinumab, a fully human anti-interleukin-17A monoclonal antibody, in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriatic arthritis: a 24-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase II proof-of-concept trial. Ann. Rheum. Dis. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2012-202646 (2013) (Epub ahead of print).

The IL-23/IL-17 pathway may be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The potential beneficial effect of Th-17A antagonism has been investigated by a randomized controlled trial in PsA patients with secukinumab, a fully human, high-affinity, monoclonal antibody in a cohort of patients with active PsA. Although this Phase II study presents bias that limits the ability of this drug to meet the primary and some secondary end points, the authors suggest that secukinumab may have biological effects and some clinical benefits in PsA patients. Further studies are required to demonstrate if the rationale to use drugs acting on the IL-23/IL-17 pathway is associated with relevant efficacy and safety in the treatment of PsA.

Keywords::

• anti-IL17 monoclonal antibodies
• biologic agents
• IL-23/IL17 axis
• psoriatic arthritis
• secukinumab

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have received honoraria from Abbott, Bristol–Myers Squibb, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Pfizer, UCB and Roche to attend scientific meetings. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.