Novartis presented new data at WCD demonstrating significant efficacy of Cosentyx™ in patients with psoriasis of the nails, palms and soles Français
- Cosentyx TM met the primary endpoints of superiority compared to placebo in patients with difficult-to-treat psoriasis of the nails, palms and soles (palmoplantar psoriasis)1,2
- One third of patients with moderate-to-severe palmoplantar psoriasis achieved clear or almost clear skin on their palms and soles after 16 Weeks of treatment with Cosentyx TM 1, severity of nail psoriasis decreased by almost a half1,2
- Affecting 1 million Canadians3, plaque psoriasis can negatively impact daily life and is associated with increased risk for other chronic illnesses4,5
- Psoriasis of the palms, soles and nails is estimated to affect as many as 90% of all psoriasis patients over their lifetime6
DORVAL, QC, June 12, 2015 /CNW/ - Novartis announced CosentyxTM (secukinumab) met the primary endpoints in two new clinical studies, showed superior efficacy compared to placebo in patients with psoriasis of the palms, soles and nails, all difficult-to-treat locations of plaque psoriasis.1,2. Detailed findings were presented for the first time at the 23rd World Congress of Dermatology (WCD) in Vancouver, Canada.
CosentyxTM is the first interleukin-17A (IL-17A) inhibitor to show efficacy in patients with psoriasis in these locations in a dedicated clinical trial and is approved to treat adult patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in Canada.7 In the GESTURE study in patients with moderate-to-severe palmoplantar psoriasis, CosentyxTM (300 mg) was superior to placebo at Week 16 in achieving clear or almost clear palms and soles as assessed using the Palmoplantar Investigator's Global Assessment (33.3% vs. 1.5%; P<0.0001).1 Similarly, in the TRANSFIGURE study, in patients with significant nail psoriasis, CosentyxTM (300 mg) was superior to placebo at Week 16, as assessed by mean improvement (decrease) in the Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI) compared to baseline (-45.3% vs -10.8%; P<0.0001).2 The safety profile of CosentyxTM in both studies was comparable to previously reported Phase III clinical trials.1-2,8
"Patients with psoriasis in these difficult-to-treat locations endure significantly greater physical and emotional disabilities than those whose psoriasis affecting other parts of the body," said GESTURE investigator Dr. Lyn Guenther MD FRCPC, Professor and Chair of the Division of Dermatology at Western University, and president of The Guenther Dermatology Research Centre in London, Ontario. "Patients may experience pain and difficulty walking, difficulty grasping and handling objects, and embarrassment when shaking hands, making workplace and social interactions burdensome and participation in recreational activities difficult." Dr. Guenther adds, "The results from these studies represent good news for these patients with psoriasis on the palms, soles and nails, where an unmet need still exists."
"I've been living with psoriasis for over 26 years, the past 8 have been with the disease under control. I know first-hand how painful, emotional and difficult-to-treat psoriasis can be. Before I was effectively treated, psoriasis had stolen everything from me, I was no longer living my life: I was existing," said Andrew Gosse, Founder and President of the Canadian Psoriasis Network (CPN). "There were times I wore gloves to cover my hands, or bandages on the tips of my fingers to hide the plaque build-up. More often I just didn't go out in public unless I had to. No one should ever have the course and quality of their life decided by psoriasis. Research brings hope and new treatment options that can transform the landscape and empower the lives of Canadians living with psoriasis." The CPN is a national not-for-profit organization whose focus is on research, education and support for Canadians living with psoriatic disease.
About the GESTURE and TRANSFIGURE studies
GESTURE has the largest sample size (N=205) and longest duration (132-week treatment period) of any biologic study in moderate-to-severe palmoplantar psoriasis and represents an important achievement in research in a patient population that has been underrepresented in psoriasis trials.1,10-12
TRANSFIGURE is the largest (N=198) and of longest duration (132-week treatment period) randomized controlled study of a biologic in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis with significant nail psoriasis to report results to date.2,13
About CosentyxTM (secukinumab) and interleukin-17A (IL-17A)
Secukinumab is a human monoclonal antibody that selectively neutralizes circulating interleukin-17A (IL-17A).14-15 -16 In the Phase III program, CosentyxTM demonstrated a favorable safety profile, with similar incidence and severity of adverse events between CosentyxTM treatment arms.8 CosentyxTM is approved by Health Canada (300 mg) for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adult patients who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy.7
About Psoriasis
Affecting as many as one million Canadians3 and more than 125 million people worldwide,4 psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by thick and extensive skin lesions, called plaques, known to cause itching, scaling and pain.17 People living with psoriasis reported that these symptoms can negatively impact their quality of life, both psychosocially and physically, which makes daily functioning difficult.18-20
Additionally, people with psoriasis are at increased risk for other chronic illnesses19 such a psoriatic arthritis, a type of inflammatory arthritis, which about 30% of people who have psoriasis get.20 Psoriasis symptoms can begin at any age, including in childhood, but the disease mainly affects adults.21 Symptoms start when a combination of environmental triggers and genetic factors disrupt the lifecycle of skin cells.17
Estimated to affect as many as 90% of all psoriasis patients over their lifetime, psoriasis of the palms, soles and nails is extremely difficult to treat and often requires biologic treatment (a protein based medicine made from cells) to control.6 Nail psoriasis is a significant predictor of psoriatic arthritis.22
In Canada, the prevalence of psoriasis is estimated at approximately 2%. According to a recent Canadian database study, 85% have chronic plaque psoriasis, 28% of which are considered moderate to severe23.
About Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., a leader in the healthcare field, is committed to the discovery, development and marketing of innovative products to improve the well-being of all Canadians. In 2013, the company invested close to $100 million in research and development in Canada. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. employs more than 600 people in Canada. For further information, please consult www.novartis.ca.
About Novartis
Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care and cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in these areas. In 2014, the Group achieved net sales of USD 58.0 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.9 billion (USD 9.6 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges). Novartis Group companies employ approximately 120,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are available in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.
Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at http://twitter.com/novartis.
Cosentyx is a trademark.
References |
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SOURCE Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.
Novartis Media Relations: Elizabeth Tanguay, Manager, External Communications, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., +1 514 633-7873, [email protected]; Rob McEwan, Vice President, Argyle Communications, + 1 416 968-7311 ext. 242, [email protected]
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