ABSTRACT
Introduction: Secukinumab (Cosentyx) is an interleukin-17A (IL-17A) inhibitor administered subcutaneously. Through 2016, it had received approval in a number of countries, including the USA, Japan and in the EU for the treatment of plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
Areas covered: This review addresses the mechanism of action, efficacy and safety of secukinumab observed in clinical studies of patients with PsA. Data from recent studies of secukinumab in psoriasis, PsA and AS are included.
Expert commentary: Secukinumab appears to be effective in improving various aspects of PsA, including improvements in psoriatic skin, enthesitis and dactylitis, as well as inhibition of the radiographic progression of peripheral arthritis. Secukinumab was in general well tolerated; the most common adverse events were nasopharyngitis, headache, and upper respiratory tract infection.
Declaration of interest
A Kavanaugh is a consultant to and performed clinical trials sponsored by Novartis and Eli Lilly. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial inte rest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.