New phase 3 data reveal that secukinumab (Cosentyx) demonstrates significant long-term efficacy in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). These findings were presented at the 10th annual Symposium on Hidradenitis Suppurativa Advances and represent a post-hoc analysis extending to 204 weeks of treatment. The data is particularly noteworthy as it showcases the longest duration of efficacy observed for any interleukin-17 (IL-17) inhibitor in this condition.
Dr. Martina J. Porter, an assistant professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School and vice chair for research and academics at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, discussed the implications of the findings. “You’ve seen the data from the core trials that led to the FDA approval, and we have shown the Week 104 data as well, but now we’re getting data all the way out to Week 204,” Porter stated.
The analysis focused on patients with moderate to severe HS from the SUNSHINE and SUNRISE trials, specifically those who achieved a clinical response at the 52-week mark. The clinical response was measured by the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response (HiSCR) score, which evaluates reductions in the total number of inflammatory abscesses and nodules.
Among those who responded to treatment at the 52-week mark, an impressive 81.3% maintained a HiSCR50 response between one and four years. Additionally, improvements were noted where 72.9% progressed to a HiSCR75 response, 46.9% to a HiSCR90 response, and 35.4% achieved a HiSCR100 response.
Porter emphasized the significance of these results, stating, “So it’s very good.” She noted that the safety data aligned with secukinumab’s established safety profile across its various indications, despite this being the highest dose used for any indication. “I think that’s very reassuring. So nothing exciting, fortunately, in the safety data,” she added.
Comparatively, secukinumab exhibited lower rates of adverse effects, including fungal infections and hypersensitivities, than other approved IL-17 inhibitors for HS, such as bimekizumab. The analysis also highlighted a notable 68.5% decrease in draining tunnels among patients treated with secukinumab, further supporting its efficacy.
“The safety profile of secukinumab long term is probably better than bimekizumab, if you look at the percentages of some of the adverse reactions that we commonly associate with IL-17 inhibitors,” Porter explained.
Long-term data such as this can significantly inform treatment decisions. Porter noted that different patient groups may prioritize immediate efficacy versus the absolute safety of medications. “So I think having this long-term data can really help guide those decisions,” she concluded.
For more detailed insights, the full interview with Dr. Porter is available for viewing. The quotes in this summary have been edited for clarity.
