Secukinumab in the treatment of psoriasis: an update

Abstract

Biological drugs are pharmaceuticals manufactured using biotechnology methods that may target specific cytokines, cytokine receptors or surface molecules, and modulate the immunological response of the organism. Psoriasis is a common cutaneous disease in which biological drugs have been evaluated and widely accepted in clinical practice. Secukinumab is a monoclonal antibody targeting IL-17A which has been extensively researched in clinical trials and registered in treating moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. We performed a literature search in Pubmed database on the pharmacology of secukinumab and randomized clinical trials investigating its efficacy and safety in treating plaque psoriasis in comparison to placebo or biological drugs (etanercept, ustekinumab). The administration of secukinumab in psoriatic subjects resulted in subjective and objective disease parameters reduction while exhibiting high safety profile. Secukinumab is an effective drug with a favorable safety profile. It has already taken an important position in managing plaque psoriasis in clinical practice.

Keywords: IL-17A; biological drugs; clinical trials; psoriasis; secukinumab; treatment.