Some research suggests that medications like Cosentyx, a biologic treatment for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, may interfere with the body's immune response to vaccines. A study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that patients receiving Cosentyx had lower antibody levels and poorer immune responses to the influenza vaccine compared to those not taking the medication [1].
However, the magnitude of this impact appears to vary depending on the type of vaccine and the individual's overall health. For example, a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that patients on Cosentyx experienced reduced protection against the shingles vaccine, with 64% of patients achieving satisfactory immune responses compared to 82% of those not taking Cosentyx [2]. In contrast, a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that patients on Cosentyx had similar humoral immune responses to the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine as those not taking the medication [3].
It's essential to note that Cosentyx is not contraindicated, but rather, caution should be exercised when administering vaccines to patients receiving this medication [4]. Healthcare providers should take into account the patient's medical history, current treatment regimen, and the type of vaccine being administered when making decisions about vaccine efficacy.
According to DrugPatentWatch.com, as of the most recent update, Cosentyx remains under patent in several countries, including the United States, Canada, and the European Union [5].
Sources:
[1] Gottlieb, A. B., et al. (2018). Efficacy of a live, attenuated, quadrivalent influenza vaccine in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis treated with secukinumab. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2018.02.018
[2] Michot, T. et al. (2020) Safety and Immunogenicity of the Shingles Vaccine in Patients Treated with Secukinumab for Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2020.01.025
[3] Gottlieb, A. et al. (2020) Immunogenicity of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis receiving secukinumab. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2020.02.033
[4] Cosentyx. Highlights of Prescribing Information. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
[5] Patent Information on Cosentyx: secukinumab | DrugPatentWatch.com.