Efficacy and Safety of Secukinumab in Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis

Abstract

Objective To assess the effectiveness and safety of secukinumab in the treatment of psoriasis.

Methods The study was conducted in the Department of Dermatology, Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore. Eleven patients of Chronic Plaque psoriasis (moderate to severe), psoriatic arthritis or pustular psoriasis were enrolled after taking informed consent. Their history and examination findings were recorded. The disease severity was assessed by calculating psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Patients were given Injection secukinumab 150mg subcutaneously at week 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 and then monthly for 5 months. Patients were followed at 5 and 25 weeks and their post-treatment PASI and DLQI scores were noted and compared. Pre- and post-treatment photographs were also compared. Patients were asked to report any adverse events during therapy.

Results  Seven male and four female patients of psoriasis (moderate to severe) with mean age 28.36±5.06 years were enrolled. At week 5, 6 (54.5%) patients achieved PASI 50, while at 25 weeks, four (36.36%) patients achieved PASI 75 and seven sustained PASI 50 response. Ten (90.9%) patients achieved more than 10-points reduction in DLQI score at week 5, while all of them reported 10 to 19-points reduction in DLQI at 25 weeks. Mild headache was reported by four patients while two patients experienced dizziness. These complaints settled after two to three doses.

Conclusion  The study results indicate that secukinumab improves physical and psychosocial life of Psoriatic patients and reduces disease severity along with a good safety profile.