Publications

Heiting et al. investigated whether the initiation of IL-17 blockade with secukinumab improves bone turnover, bone mineral density, and microarchitecture in axSpA patients. Despite symptomatic benefits of therapy with secukinumab, with improvements in pain and function, there were few biochemical, densitometric, or microarchitectural changes in skeletal health over two years of treatment with secukinumab. Larger, longer-term controlled studies using sensitive metrics such as HR-pQCT to follow bone quality are needed to improve our understanding of bone health in axSpA and the relation to disease activity and therapy.

In more than 1500 patients from 13 European countries, Pons et al. demonstrated that secukinumab retention rates after four years were approximately 50% in both axSpA and PsA patients. Pons et al. aimed to assess retention rates and proportions of patients achieving remission and LDA, according to disease activity measures and patient-reported outcomes at 24 and 48 months, in axSpA and PsA patients initiating secukinumab. In this large real-world study, Pons et al., for the first time, report 48-month retention rates as well as rates of remission and LDA. Importantly, b/tsDMARD naïve patients demonstrated higher retention, remission and LDA rates than patients with prior b/tsDMARDs exposure, particularly in axSpA.  

Kaya et al. reported that switching to secukinumab or cycling to another TNFi after first TNFi failure in axSpA led to comparable drug survival, with predictive factors differing by treatment. The study reports that smoking and Achilles enthesitis were associated with higher SEC discontinuation, while high CRP and primary TNFi failure predicted TNFi discontinuation.

Delcourt et al. conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis revealing that both pharmacological (DMARDs) and non-pharmacological interventions reduce fatigue in axSpA patients over short and medium terms, with greater efficacy seen when combined.

Deodhar et al. evaluated the efficacy and safety of intravenous secukinumab in patients with active axial spondyloarthritis. The study found a significant improvement in the ASAS40 response at Week 16 (40.9% vs 22.9% in placebo, P<0.0001), with responses maintained through Week 52. No new safety signals were observed.

IV secukinumab provided rapid and sustained improvements in disease signs and symptoms at Week 16 and through 52 weeks. Kivitz et al. evaluated the long-term efficacy, safety, and tolerability of IV secukinumab in patients with active PsA.

Pacheco et al. demonstrated that, compared with axSpA patients who respond to secukinumab,  patients who do not respond show increased IL-17A-producing cells and have a more pronounced type 1 IFN signature, indicating a larger inflammatory burden.

Deodhar et al. investigated the impact on efficacy and safety of escalating secukinumab dose from 150mg to 300mg Q4W in AS patients who did not achieve inactive disease during an initial 16-week period of 150mg secukinumab. At Week 52, clinical safety response rates were similar across groups continuing with 150mg or escalating to 300mg secukinumab.