FDA approval of secukinumab for treatment of psoriatic arthritis was based on two randomized, double-blind trials with a primary endpoint of at least a 20% improvement in the American College of Rheumatology response criteria (ACR20) at 24 weeks. In both trials, ACR20 response rates were significantly higher in patients receiving secukinumab than in those receiving placebo.3,4 Secukinumab was effective in both TNF inhibitor-naive and TNF inhibitor-experienced patients.

Approval of secukinumab for ankylosing spondylitis was based on two double-blind trials in which the primary endpoint was the percentage of patients who achieved at least a 20% improvement in Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society response criteria (ASA20) at 16 weeks. In both trials, ASA20 response rates were significantly higher in patients receiving secukinumab than in those receiving placebo.5

The most common adverse effects of secukinumab in clinical trials were nasopharyngitis, diarrhea, and upper respiratory infection. In general, infections occurred at a higher rate in secukinumab-treated patients than in those who received placebo. Patients should be screened for tuberculosis before starting therapy. Exacerbations of Crohn's disease were reported during clinical trials in patients taking secukinumab. Urticaria and anaphylaxis have occurred.

The recommended dosage of secukinumab for patients with psoriatic arthritis (without concomitant moderate to severe plaque psoriasis) or ankylosing spondylitis is 150 mg injected subcutaneously at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, then every 4 weeks. The drug can also be given every 4 weeks without the weekly loading doses. The dose can be increased to 300 mg in patients who continue to have active psoriatic arthritis. The cost for one 150 mg/mL single-use pen is $1954.10.6