Real-World Data Shows Effectiveness of Secukinumab for PsA, axSpA

In real-world practice, secukinumab was effective and safe in the first and second lines of treatment for patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), according to study findings published in Rheumatology and Therapy.

“Since a notable number of patients with rheumatic diseases are treated with biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs), real-world data analysis in routine clinical practice provides useful information,” wrote researchers.

To investigate routine clinical practice outcomes with secukinumab, a human antibody against interleukin-17A, researchers analyzed data from the Spanish BIOBADASER registry, which spans an estimated 25% of patients with rheumatic diseases treated with bDMARDs in Spain. The analysis included a total of 639 patients treated with secukinumab for PsA and axSpA: 350 with PsA, 262 with ankylosing spondylitis, and 27 with nonradiographic axSpA.

After 1 year of treatment, secukinumab was associated with improvement for both PsA and axSpA pathologies, the analysis showed.

Patients with PsA had decreases in the mean Disease Activity Score 28 using C-reactive protein, the mean Disease Activity Psoriatic Arthritis score, swollen joint counts, and tender joint counts. Patients with axSpA had decreases in the mean Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index and the mean Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score.

After 2 and 3 years of secukinumab treatment, improvement was maintained or increased. The finding indicates the effectiveness of secukinumab in both biological-naïve and nonresponder patients, wrote researchers.

Retention rates were highest when secukinumab was a first-line biological treatment but were still adequate when used as second- or third-line treatment, according to study authors. Meanwhile, safety data was satisfactory and consistent with previous reports.

“Overall, these data provide information to be considered by clinicians regarding the use of secukinumab as both the first and subsequent [treatment] lines,” concluded researchers. 

Reference:
Martínez-González O, Rodríguez-Lozano C, Pérez-Garcia C, et al. Real-world effectiveness and treatment retention of secukinumab in patients with psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis: a descriptive observational analysis of the Spanish BIOBADASER Registry. Rheumatol Ther. Published online April 25, 2022. doi:10.1007/s40744-022-00446-9