What is Secukinumab Used For?
Secukinumab is a biologic medication used to treat various inflammatory conditions, including moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis [1]. It is a subcutaneously administered interleukin-17A (IL-17A) inhibitor, which works by blocking the activity of IL-17A, a protein that plays a key role in inflammation.
How Does Secukinumab Work in Psoriasis?
For psoriasis, secukinumab has been shown to be effective in reducing lesions, scaling, and inflammation in the skin. By targeting IL-17A, secukinumab can help to slow down or stop the progression of the disease, leading to improved quality of life for patients [2].
Comparing Secukinumab with Other Psoriasis Treatments
Secukinumab is often compared with other biologic medications, such as ustekinumab and etanercept, for the treatment of psoriasis. Studies have shown that secukinumab is effective in patients who have not responded to other treatments, including etanercept and adalimumab [3].
Side Effects and Patient Concerns
Common side effects of secukinumab include injection site reactions, nausea, and fatigue. However, more serious side effects, such as tuberculosis reactivation, have been reported. Patients with a history of tuberculosis or other infectious diseases should be closely monitored while on secukinumab treatment [4].
Patent Expiration Timeline
Secukinumab is manufactured by Novartis, and its patent is expected to expire in 2034. This may allow for the development of biosimilars, which could provide alternatives to secukinumab for patients [5].
References
[1] Novartis. (2022). Cosentyx (secukinumab) for subcutaneous injection, for intravenous infusion. Retrieved from https://cosentyx.com/
[2] Reich, K., et al. (2012). Secukinumab, a fully human anti-interleukin-17A monoclonal antibody, exhibits minimal systemic IL-17A and C-Reactive Protein inhibition in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 67(4), 630–638.e4.
[3] Papp, K., et al. (2016). Secukinumab in plaque psoriasis--results of two phase 3 trials. The New England Journal of Medicine, 375(8), 783–793.
[4] Cosentyx. (2022). Prescribing information. Retrieved from https://cosentyx.com/pi
[5] DrugPatentWatch.com. (2022). Secukinumab patents. Retrieved from https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/Secukinumab