Response to secukinumab on synovitis using Power Doppler ultrasound in psoriatic arthritis: 12-week results from a phase III study, ULTIMATE
doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab628
D'Agostino, et al. aimed to evaluate whether treatment with secukinumab inhibits synovitis in patients with active PsA, as measured by PDUS. They found that secukinumab rapidly and significantly decreased synovitis, indicating a direct effect of IL-17 inhibition on the synovium in patients with PsA.
In their analysis researchers randomly divided patients to receive either weekly subcutaneous secukinumab (150 or 300mg according to the severity of psoriasis) or a placebo followed by 4-weekly dosing thereafter. The primary outcome was the mean change in the ultrasound GLOESS from baseline to week 12. Key secondary endpoints included ACR20 and ACR50 responses.
The overall safety profile and tolerability of secukinumab are consistent with the previously known safety profile in patients with PsA. Due to the critical role of synovitis on cartilage and bone destruction this provides a basis for the observed protection of joint structure by secukinumab.
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