Efficacy of secukinumab in the treatment of moderatesevere plaque psoriasis at a tertiary care teaching hospital in India

Background: Secukinumab is a fully humanized IL-17A antagonist approved for managing moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis as well as psoriatic arthritis. This study assessed the speed of action of secukinumab and the improvement in the quality of life in a series of patients. Methods: We aimed to assess changes in the PASI (Psoriasis Area Severity Index) and DLQI (Dermatology Life Quality Index) following a course of secukinumab injections. Methods: This hospital-based study was conducted in the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy of ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Hyderabad, India. Results: Starting from 8 weeks after initiation of treatment with secukinumab 300 mg, a clinically significant response was observed, with progressive reduction of skin disease indices. Twenty-four patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 42 years. The male to female ratio was 15:9. Thirteen (54.16%) patients achieved PASI 75 at eight weeks. At the end of 52 weeks, 20 (83.33%), 15 (62.5%), and 8 (33.33%) patients maintained PASI 75, PASI 90, and PASI 100, respectively. Conclusion: Secukinumab is a highly-efficacious, biologic therapy that provides rapid relief with a relatively favorable safety profile in patients with moderate-severe plaque psoriasis. In addition, secukinumab is a preferred treatment for patients with comorbid psoriatic arthritis or arthralgia symptoms due to its ability to arrest the progression of arthritic disease in the early course.