FDA OKs Secukinumab Label Update for Psoriatic Arthritis

Officials with the FDA have approved a label update for secukinumab (Cosentyx, Novartis) that includes new evidence that the treatment significantly impedes the progression of joint structural damage at 24 weeks compared to placebo for patients with active psoriatic arthritis.

"While daily psoriatic arthritis symptoms can seriously affect a patient, the progressive nature of this disease should not be ignored. The joint damage that often results from having the disease over time can potentially be permanent," said Marcia Kayath, MD, PhD, MBA, Head US Clinical Development and Medical Affairs, Novartis.

Secukinumab is a human monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to the interleukin-17A cytokine, impeding its interaction with the IL-17 receptor. The drug is now the only interleukin-17A antagonist approved to treat active psoriatic arthritis, active ankylosing spondylitis, and moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults.

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