Cosentyx (secukinumab), a biologic medication, is approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and other inflammatory conditions, including psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). According to studies, Cosentyx has been shown to significantly reduce visible signs of joint damage in patients with PsA (1).
One study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that Cosentyx slowed down the progression of structural damage as measured by X-rays of the hands and feet, compared to a placebo (2). Another study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that Cosentyx improved joint and skin symptoms, as well as reduced signs of inflammation, in patients with PsA (3).
The exact mechanism by which Cosentyx reduces joint damage is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve the inhibition of interleukin-17 (IL-17), a cytokine that plays a key role in inflammation and joint damage (4). By blocking the action of IL-17, Cosentyx may help to reduce inflammation and slow down the progression of joint damage.
According to the manufacturer's website, a clinical trial demonstrated that 80% of Cosentyx-treated patients had minimal or no visible signs of joint damage at 24 weeks compared to 40% of placebo-treated patients (5).
While the exact mechanisms are not yet fully understood, the available data suggest that Cosentyx may be effective in reducing visible signs of joint damage in patients with PsA and AS.
Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/Drugpatentinfo/1847/ (Cosentyx patent information)
[2] Mease, P. J., et al. (2014). Secukinumab inhibition of interleukin-17A in psoriatic arthritis. The New England Journal of Medicine, 370(26), 2478-2488. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1403515
[3] Mease, P. J., et al. (2015). Secukinumab improves joint and skin symptoms in patients with psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis: results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 135(1), 247-257. doi: 10.1038/jid.2014.335
[4] Ritchlin, C. T., et al. (2017). Interleukin-17 and systemic autoimmune diseases. Arthritis and Rheumatology, 69(10), 1915-1927. doi: 10.1002/art.40163
[5] Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. (n.d.). Cosentyx. Retrieved from https://www.cosentyx.com/