Cosentyx gets NICE approval for use in children with psoriasis

[Fred]

NICE The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence UK have given approval for the use of Cosentyx (secukinumab) in children.

Quote:

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Recommendations:

1.1 Secukinumab is recommended as an option for treating plaque psoriasis
in children and young people aged 6 to 17 years, only if:

• the disease is severe, as defined by a total Psoriasis Area and Severity
  Index (PASI) of 10 or more and
  
• the disease has not responded to other systemic treatments, including
  ciclosporin, methotrexate and phototherapy, or these options are
  contraindicated or not tolerated and
  
• the company provides the drug according to the commercial
  arrangement.
  

1.2 Stop secukinumab treatment at 12 weeks if the psoriasis has not responded adequately. An adequate response is defined as a 75%  reduction in the PASI score (PASI 75) from when treatment started.

1.3 Choose the least expensive treatment if patients (or their parents or carers) and their clinicians consider secukinumab to be one of a range of suitable treatments. Take into account availability of biosimilar products, administration costs, dosage, price per dose and commercial arrangements.

1.4 Take into account how skin colour could affect the PASI score and make any appropriate clinical adjustments.

1.5 These recommendations are not intended to affect treatment with secukinumab that was started in the NHS before this guidance was published. People having treatment outside these recommendations may continue without change to the funding arrangements in place for them before this guidance was published, until they and their NHS clinician consider it appropriate to stop. This decision should be made jointly by the clinician, the child or young person and their parents or carers.

Source: nice.org.uk

Cosentyx (secukinumab)

[Caroline]

I am amazed that they give ciclosporine and methotrexate to children…..

[Fred]

I am amazed that they give ciclosporine and methotrexate to children…..

I wouldn't let them prescribe it to my children.

[JohnB]

It is scary to think they give kids MTX and Cyclosporine 



The statement reads very similar to the adult version. It looks like they have just stuck the ages 6 to 17 in.

[Fred]

It is scary to think they give kids MTX and Cyclosporine 



The statement reads very similar to the adult version. It looks like they have just stuck the ages 6 to 17 in.

Yes it is worrying, I still say methotrexate has no place in the treatment of psoriasis for adults let alone children.

[Caroline]

It is scary to think they give kids MTX and Cyclosporine 



The statement reads very similar to the adult version. It looks like they have just stuck the ages 6 to 17 in.

Yes it is worrying, I still say methotrexate has no place in the treatment of psoriasis for adults let alone children.

I am totally with you. It is no good for anyone, though some seem to be able to cope with it, but certainly not for children.
It is the big example of an immunosuppressor, that suppresses the whole immunesystem. Thus probably also preventing the buildup of antibodies against Covid.