Over half of patients have 90 percent improvement on Psoriasis Scalp Severity Index score
FRIDAY, Sept. 29, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Secukinumab is safe and effective as a treatment for patients with extensive moderate-to-severe scalp psoriasis, according to a study published in the October issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Jerry Bagel, M.D., from the Psoriasis Treatment Center of Central New Jersey in East Windsor, and colleagues conducted a 24-week, double-blind, phase 3b study in which 102 patients were randomized to subcutaneous secukinumab (300 mg) or placebo at baseline; weeks 1, 2, and 3; and then every four weeks from week 4 to 20.
The researchers found that at week 12, 90 percent improvement of the Psoriasis Scalp Severity Index score was seen in 52.9 percent of the secukinumab group versus 2 percent of the placebo group. In addition, Investigator’s Global Assessment modified 2011 scalp responses of 0 or 1 were 56.9 percent and 5.9 percent, respectively, with secukinumab and placebo. Significantly more patients achieved complete clearance of scalp psoriasis at week 12 with secukinumab 300 mg compared with placebo (35.3 percent versus 0 percent. The safety of secukinumab was consistent with other phase 3 studies.
“Secukinumab is efficacious and well-tolerated for patients with extensive moderate-to-severe scalp psoriasis,” conclude the authors.
Several authors disclosed financial ties to pharmaceutical companies, including Novartis Pharmaceuticals, which funded the study.
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