Real-life efficacy and safety of secukinumab: A single-center, retrospective observational study with 52-week follow-up

• Main Authors: Shekhar Neema, S Radhakrishnan, Sehdev Singh, Biju Vasudevan, Manas Chatterjee
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2019-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Drugs in Dermatology
• Subjects: Psoriasis; real-life study; secukinumab
• Online Access: http://www.ijdd.in/article.asp?issn=2455-3972;year=2019;volume=5;issue=1;spage=14;epage=18;aulast=Neema
• ISSN: 2455-3972; 2455-3972

Background: Secukinumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody against interleukin-17. Phase III trials have shown encouraging results in chronic plaque psoriasis. The real-life data for safety and efficacy of secukinumab are limited. Methodology: This was a retrospective, single-center, observational study conducted in a tertiary care center of East India between January 2016 and December 2017. Patients with chronic plaque psoriasis who were initiated on injection secukinumab during the study period and completed 52 weeks of observation period were included in the study. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. Results: Twenty patients were recruited in the study. Mean age of the patients was 46 years and mean duration of disease was 11 years. Eleven (55%) patients were biologic experienced and Nine (45%) patients were biologic naïve. Mean Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score at baseline was 17.05 (±6.7). Fifteen (75%) patients achieved PASI75 at 4 weeks. Seventeen (85%) patients achieved PASI75, 13 (65%) achieved PASI90, and 10 (50%) patients achieved PASI100 at 12 weeks. Eighteen (90%), 10 (50%), and 7 (35%) patients maintained PASI75, PASI90, and PASI100 response, respectively, at the end of 52 weeks. Adverse effects were seen in 6 (30%) patients over 52 weeks. Drug discontinuation was required because of severe exacerbation of eczema and recalcitrant vulvovaginal candidiasis in one patient each. Conclusion: Secukinumab is an effective drug for the management of chronic plaque psoriasis even in patients who have previously been treated with systemic drugs and other biologics; however, adverse effects are more common as compared to what trial data suggest. Limitations of Study: Small sample size and retrospective study design are main limitations of the study. Strength of Study: This is first real-life data with 52 weeks follow up from India.