Secukinumab induction and maintenance therapy in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase II regimen-finding study

Abstract Background:  Interleukin-17A has major proinflammatory activity in psoriatic lesional skin. Objectives:  Assess the efficacy and safety of secukinumab, a fully human IgG1κ monoclonal anti-interleukin-17A antibody, in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in a phase II regimen-finding study. Methods:  404 patients were randomised to subcutaneous placebo (67 patients) or one of three secukinumab 150 mg induction regimens: Single (week 0; 66 patients), Early (weeks 0, 1, 2, 4; 133 patients), and Monthly (weeks 0, 4, 8; 138 patients). The primary outcome was ≥75% improvement from baseline Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score at week 12. PASI 75 responders from active treatment …