Novartis AIN457 (secukinumab) data shows relief for 81% of psoriasis patients

[Fred]

Novartis has announced positive results from three Phase II trials showing that AIN457 (secukinumab) produced a quick and significant improvement of symptoms in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The results were presented at the annual European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress, in Lisbon, Portugal.

In one study, 81% of patients receiving AIN457 150mg subcutaneously once a month experienced at least a 75% improvement of psoriasis signs and symptoms as measured by PASI (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) vs 9% for placebo at week 12 (p<0.001). In another study, results also showed that 83% of patients who were given an intravenous starting dose of AIN457 experienced at least a 75% improvement of symptoms vs 10% for placebo[3]. A third study showed that receiving AIN457 in the first month was beneficial to 55% of patients vs 2% for placebo at week 12.

"These data suggest that AIN457 could potentially bring about a considerable improvement in the lives of patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis by producing a rapid response and substantial relief of symptoms," said Dr. Kim Papp, Dermatologist and Director of Research at Probity Medical Research, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, and one of the investigators of the studies. "Plaque psoriasis is a disruptive and often painful chronic immune disease and there is a critical need for new treatment options that combine long-term efficacy with a favourable safety profile."

AIN457 is a fully human, targeted monoclonal antibody that specifically and rapidly binds to and neutralizes interleukin-17A (IL-17A), an inflammatory cytokine implicated in a number of immune-mediated diseases, including psoriasis.

"We are encouraged by these positive Phase II results and look forward to receiving the results of larger-scale and longer-term Phase III studies with AIN457 which began this year," said John Hohneker, Global Head of Development for Integrated Hospital Care at Novartis. "Novartis is committed to providing new treatment options for patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, who face significant daily physical discomfort as well as the serious psychological impact of living with this disease."

Source: novartis.com

[Fred]

Update: September 27, 2012

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Novartis announced today new Phase II data showing AIN457 (secukinumab) may significantly improve moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis on the hands, feet and nails when used every week for the first month of treatment, compared to placebo. Additional analysis on patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis also showed that AIN457 may successfully improve quality of life by Week 12 in the study.

"These new AIN457 data are particularly welcome since they demonstrate significant improvement in the signs and symptoms of patients, even when difficult-to-treat areas are involved," said Prof. Kristian Reich, one of the study investigators and Professor of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology in Hamburg, Germany. "Many patients with hand, foot or nail psoriasis are restricted in their daily life and work because they may not be able to walk or use their hands, negatively impacting their quality of life."

The results will be presented today at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) 21st Congress, in Prague, Czech Republic. They provide additional insight into the safety and efficacy of AIN457, following the presentation of the study's primary endpoint at EADV in 2011.

The new data from the sub-analyses undertaken on the Phase II study show AIN457 was nearly three times more effective than placebo at reducing moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis on the hands and/or feet when given every week during the first month of treatment (54.3% of patients vs. 19.2% respectively, p=0.005), as measured by the Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA). Patients also benefited if they received AIN457 once every four weeks, with 39.0% experiencing either "clear" or "minimal" psoriasis after 12 weeks of treatment. Another analysis found that these AIN457 treatment schedules also notably reduced the signs and symptoms of finger nail psoriasis compared to placebo.

The study safety analysis of these data showed a comparable safety profile between treatment and placebo, with the most common adverse events (AEs) observed being infections.

Other new data presented at EADV in the total moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis study population show that AIN457 improved skin-related quality of life in 25 times more patients after 12 weeks of treatment when given every week for the first month, compared to placebo (40.8% vs. 1.6%, p<0.001), as measured by the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). In this same treatment group, significantly more patients experienced improvements in pain and discomfort compared to placebo (36.2% vs. -1.5%) from baseline; and in anxiety and depression versus placebo (16.3% vs. 6.2%), as measured by EuroQol (EQ-5D). The effect of psoriasis on patients' health-related quality of life has been shown to be similar to diseases such as cancer, heart attack, arthritis, type 2 diabetes and depression.

"These encouraging results show that through its novel mode of action, AIN457 may significantly increase treatment success and improve the quality of life of patients suffering from moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis," said John Hohneker, Head of Development for Integrated Hospital Care for the Pharmaceuticals Division of Novartis. "We look forward to receiving the results of the larger-scale and longer-term Phase III studies, which are expected in 2013."

All core pivotal trials for AIN457 in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis are on track, involving more than 3,000 patients worldwide, and indicating a high interest from both medical and patient communities. Phase III data in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis is expected in 2013, with regulatory submissions to follow shortly thereafter.

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