Phase III FUTURE 1 study of secukinumab for psoriatic arthritis is published in NEJM- Novartis

Novartis announced that results from the pivotal Phase III FUTURE 1 study for secukinumab in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) were published online in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). Secukinumab is the first interleukin-17A (IL-17A) inhibitor to demonstrate efficacy in a Phase III study in patients with active PsA, a painful, debilitating condition causing inflammation of joints and skin. PsA is part of a family of long-term diseases impacting joints, known as spondylorarthritis. In this study, secukinumab met the primary endpoint with a 20% reduction in the American College of Rheumatology response criteria (ACR 20) at Week 24 showing rapid and significant clinical improvements versus placebo. ACR is a standard tool used to assess improvement of PsA signs and symptoms. In addition, secukinumab met all secondary endpoints, including improvements in skin and joint diseases and joint structural damage progression. Results showed that half of patients (50.0% and 50.5%) in both secukinumab-treated dose groups (150 mg and 75 mg) achieved ACR 20 response compared with only 17.3% of placebo patients (p<0.001). Clinically significant improvements with secukinumab were observed as early as Week 1 and sustained throughout 52 weeks of treatment.

Comment: With current psoriasis biologics targeting TNF-alpha and IL-12 and IL-23, secukinumab reflects a novel target, IL-17A, which would offer an exciting new approach for psoriasis patients.