Secukinumab administration by autoinjector maintains reduction of plaque psoriasis severity over 52 weeks: results of the randomized controlled JUNCTURE trial

Background User satisfaction is an important factor associated with treatment adherence in chronic diseases including moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis. Objective To evaluate the efficacy, safety and patient acceptability of 300 and 150 mg secukinumab – a fully human anti‐interleukin‐17A monoclonal antibody that has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of patients with moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis – self‐administered by autoinjection. Methods Patients with moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis were randomized to secukinumab 300 mg, secukinumab 150 mg or placebo self‐administered by autoinjection at baseline, Weeks 1, 2 and 3 and then every 4 weeks from Week 4 to Week 48. Efficacy responses [≥75/90/100% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75/90/100) and clear/almost clear skin by Investigator's Global Assessment 2011 modified version (IGA mod 2011 0/1)] were measured at Week 52. Patient‐reported usability of the autoinjector was evaluated by the self‐injection assessment questionnaire to Week 48. Results At Week 52 with secukinumab 300 mg, PASI 75/90/100 and IGA mod 2011 0/1 responses were achieved by 81.4/64.1/38.8% and 69.6% of patients, respectively, by multiple imputation. At Week 52 with secukinumab 150 mg, PASI 75/90/100 and IGA mod 2011 0/1 responses were achieved by 75.2/57.4/33.1% and 60.2% of patients, respectively, by multiple imputation. Patient‐assessed acceptability of the autoinjector remained high to Week 48. The proportion of patients experiencing adverse events was greater with secukinumab 300 mg (88.6%) than with secukinumab 150 mg (78.7%). Conclusion Self‐administration of secukinumab using an autoinjector was associated with robust and sustained efficacy, a good safety profile and high acceptability.