Novartis Cosentyx first to show efficacy in all key manifestations of psoriatic arthritis

Novartis announced new data from the MAXIMISE trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of Cosentyx (secukinumab) in the management of axial manifestations of psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

The ongoing 52-week Phase IIIb trial met both its primary and key secondary endpoint with 63.1% of Cosentyx 300 mg and 66.3% of Cosentyx 150 mg patients achieving ASAS20 at Week 12 (versus 31.3% for placebo) respectively. Rapid onset of relief was seen as early as week four, with the trial demonstrating a favorable safety profile consistent with previous clinical trials.

“Up to two thirds of patients with psoriatic arthritis experience inflammatory back pain, which can limit mobility,” said Dr. Laura Coates, NIHR Clinician Scientist and Senior Clinical Research Fellow at Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, UK. “This study provides clinicians with the evidence to help them choose a comprehensive treatment for psoriatic arthritis that addresses diverse patient phenotypes.”

PsA is a complex disease with multiple manifestations driving patient symptoms. It is estimated to affect up to 50 million people wordwide and is part of a family of long-term inflammatory diseases (spondyloarthritis) that target the joints. It is closely associated with psoriasis; up to 40% of patients with psoriasis have PsA.

“This is the first time we’ve seen the efficacy of a biologic in the axial manifestations of psoriatic arthritis at 12 weeks,” said Dr. Antonio Mera Varela, Head of Rheumatology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Spain. “As a physician, it’s highly important that there is something that can help manage all aspects of my patients’ psoriatic arthritis, including inflammation of the spine, joints, enthesitis, dactylitis and psoriasis of the skin and nails.”

These data, which add to the existing evidence supporting Cosentyx as a treatment across multiple psoriatic disease manifestations, will be presented at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) on 12-15 June in Madrid, Spain.