Secukinumab Inhibition of Interleukin-17A in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis

Secukinumab, a highly specific monoclonal antibody that neutralizes activity of the cytokine interleukin-17 (IL-17A), effectively treats psoriatic skin disease. Up to 40% of patients develop psoriatic arthritis, and IL-17A levels are elevated in the joints of those patients. In a prospective, multicenter study of secukinumab for psoriatic arthritis, more than 600 patients were randomly assigned to receive placebo; 10 mg/kg secukinumab intravenously at weeks 0, 2, and 4, followed by 75 mg …