Novartis says Cosentyx can potentially modify the course of psoriasis in certain patients

Novartis on Tuesday unveiled data from a Phase III study suggesting that Cosentyx (secukinumab) can alter the course of moderate-to-severe psoriasis resulting in long-term, treatment-free skin clearance in some patients. Chief medical officer Vas Narasimhan commented "these results suggest that Cosentyx may go beyond simply treating symptoms and could actually modify the course of psoriasis," with the company noting that the drug is the first IL-17A inhibitor to have demonstrated this.

In the A2302E1 study, which is an extension study of the FIXTURE and ERASURE trials, patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis were treated with Cosentyx for one year. Novartis indicated that those who achieved a Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) 75 response were randomised to either continuous treatment with the drug or treatment cessation until relapse.

Results, which were presented at Maui Derm for Dermatologists 2017, showed that 21 percent of patients who discontinued treatment with Cosentyx maintained skin clearance for up to one year without treatment, while 10 percent maintained skin clearance after two years without treatment. Novartis added that patients who had a longer disease duration before Cosentyx treatment were more likely to relapse.

"Being able to change the course of disease is the ultimate goal of treatment, which is why we are investing in the STEPIn trial to further understand the disease modifying ability of Cosentyx in psoriasis," Narasimhan remarked. The STEPIn study will assess early intervention with Cosentyx in new-onset disease.

FirstWord reports in this therapy area - KOL Insight Psoriasis: Find out how KOLs expect the market to evolve, which pipeline treatments are most promising, and which clinical trials will shape treatment decisions. Learn more.

Cosentyx was initially cleared by the European Commission in January 2015 for the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are suitable for systemic therapy or phototherapy, and approved in the US later that month. The drug, which generated sales of $391 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, has also been authorised for the same indication in a number of other markets including Canada. For related analysis, read ViewPoints: Novartis CEO – Cosentyx continues to deliver on all fronts.

Last month, the FDA approved Valeant Pharmaceuticals' Siliq (brodalumab) to treat adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, making it the third IL-17 antagonist to reach the market behind Cosentyx and Eli Lilly's Taltz (ixekizumab). For further analysis, see Physician Views Poll Results: REMS programme, rather than suicide-link, will curtail use of Valeant's Siliq for psoriasis, say dermatologists.