Secukinumab for ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis

Abstract

The treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) positively changed since the introduction of anti-TNFα drugs. These treatments were shown to reduce the symptoms and signs of the diseases and improve the quality of life. However, a variable percentage of patients do not respond to anti-TNFα or can exhibit a loss of response and, furthermore, despite anti-TNFα drugs’ proven efficacy in reducing peripheral radiographic progression in PsA, the impact in reducing radiographic damage in AS is still debated. Recently, the discovery of new pathogenic mechanisms paved the way to the development of new drugs that target other pro-inflammatory cytokines. In particular, the inhibition of interleukin (IL)-17, which is the principal cytokine produced by Th17 lymphocytes, a pro-inflammatory subset involved in both inflammation and new bone formation in AS and PsA, demonstrated promising results. The new molecule secukinumab, an IL-17A inhibitor, showed its efficacy and safety in phase III randomized clinical trials in AS and PsA and is the first non-anti-TNFα biologic approved for the treatment of AS, providing a useful alternative treatment strategy in both diseases. The aim of this article was to review the pathophysiological basis, the efficacy and the safety of secukinumab treatment in AS and PsA patients.

Introduction

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease that predominantly affects the axial skeleton, with a possible peripheral and extra-articular involvement. The global prevalence is between 0.1% and 1.4% and patients with this disease may present diminished physical function and quality of life due mainly to the loss of spinal mobility.1,2

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the association of arthritis and psoriasis and by variable clinical manifestations and course, that potentially could lead to functional disability and poor quality of life.3 Both diseases belong to the group of spondyloarthritis (SpA) and share some clinical, radiological, genetic, immune, and pathogenic factors, such as the presence of peripheral arthritis, enthesitis, dactylitis, psoriasis, axial involvement, extra-articular manifestations, and common cytokine network alterations.4,5 The introduction of TNFα inhibitors positively changed the outcome of AS and PsA patients. Data from over 15 years of interventional trial and clinical practice experiences with anti-TNFα demonstrated its efficacy in all PsA domains (peripheral arthritis, axial involvement, enthesitis, dactylitis and extra-articular manifestations). These drugs also show effectiveness in the improvement of function, disease activity, pain, and quality of life in AS patients.6–12 In recent years, however, a more in-depth understanding of pathophysiology of SpAs led to the discovery of several cell pathways and cytokines involved in the pathological process of synovitis and enthesitis and in the other clinical domains of the diseases. Th cells producing interleukin (IL)-17 (Th17 cells, which also produce TNFα, IL-21, and IL-22) play a substantial role in chronic inflammatory conditions and seem to drive both erosions and new bone formation in the joints of PsA and AS patients.13–15 With this background, the aim of this article is to review the current role of anti-IL-17A secukinumab in the treatment of AS and PsA.

IL-17A blockade: a new treatment pathway

In chronic inflammatory diseases, interleukin’s production is mandatory for the development of clinical manifestations, and several evidences showed that IL-12 and IL-23 play an important role in the development of SpA. Some studies reported that mutations in IL-23 receptor gene and IL-12 gene were associated with the susceptibility to psoriasis, inflammatory bowel diseases and SpA,16–18 and, furthermore, IL-12 and IL-23 are involved in the Th1/Th17 immune responses, that are the two major phenotypes present in SpA. Moreover, Th17 cells are increased in AS patients and increase from baseline in patients who do not respond to anti-TNF treatment, suggesting their role in the pathogenesis of the disease. IL23/IL-17 axis is also strongly linked to SpA pathogenesis: studies in humans show that production of and sensitivity to IL-23 is increased and IL-23-responsive cells are expanded in many forms of SpA. IL-23 is essential for the proliferation and terminal differentiation of CD4⁺ Th17 T cells, maintaining IL-17 production, and ultimately driving the pathogenicity of the cells.19–25 In support of these findings, Sherlock et al demonstrated that overexpression of IL-23 by hepatic injection of IL-23 minicircle drives enthesitis and aortitis in mice, in a process involving IL-22 and IL-17. The same authors found resident entheseal CD3⁺CD4⁻CD8⁻ T cells sensitive to IL-23 and producing IL-17 and IL-22 in mouse models of SpA.26 IL-17 family includes six members (IL-17A-F). Several studies demonstrated the relevant role of IL-17A in the pathogenesis of SpA: data from mouse models showed the role of IL-17A in the synovial inflammation and joint destruction during collagen-induced arthritis.25 In humans, polymorphisms associated with susceptibility to SpA are present in genetic loci involved in IL-17 signaling. IL-17 receptor A and T cells actively producing Il-17 are elevated in synovial fluid and in psoriatic plaques of PsA patients, and levels of circulating Th17 cells were also higher in patients with both AS and PsA in comparison with patients with rheumatoid arthritis.27 Furthermore, CD4⁻/CD8⁺ IL-17⁺ cells were detected in PsA patients’ synovial fluid.28 IL-17 is also crucial in the development of inflammation and bone resorption/proliferation in SpA: IL-17 stimulated bone resorption in combination with TNFα in fetal mouse long bones and induced the expression of the receptor activator of NFκB ligand (RANKL – the osteoclast differentiation factor) in osteoclast-supporting cells.29 Furthermore, Th17 cells seems to drive bone formation through the action of IL-22 on osteoblasts.24 On this basis, the efficacy and effectiveness of the inhibition of IL-12/23 – IL-17 axis were tested in several auto-immune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and SpA, both on the inflammatory and bone damage aspects.

Secukinumab for AS

Different anti-IL-17 agents were developed and are currently in phase II and III trials for the treatment of rheumatic and inflammatory diseases.8 Secukinumab (Cosentyx^®; Novartis International AG, Basel, Switzerland) was one of the first molecules that targeted free Il-17A. Anti-IL-17A secukinumab was evaluated in phase II and III trials on patients with AS. The first study that provided clinical evidences of efficacy of secukinumab in AS was a 28-week multicenter, randomized, double-blind clinical trial published by Baeten et al.30 In this study, 30 patients, 18–65 years of age, with active AS defined by the modified New York criteria were enrolled. Of these, 24 patients received two infusions of secukinumab 10 mg/kg given intravenously 3 weeks apart and 6 patients received placebo. The primary endpoint (Assessment of Spondycoarthritis International Society [ASAS] 20 at week 6) was achieved by 59% of patients on secukinumab vs 24% on placebo with a 99.8% probability that secukinumab is superior to placebo. Patients in the secukinumab arm also achieved an ASAS 40 response, reduction of CRP levels and improvement in quality of life. One serious adverse event (subcutaneous abscess caused by Staphylococcus aureus) occurred in the secukinumab-treated group.30 The study was followed by three phase III randomized controlled trials (MEASURE 1–2–3). In MEASURE 1, a total of 371 AS patients received intravenous secukinumab (10 mg/kg of body weight) or matched placebo at weeks 0, 2, and 4, followed by subcutaneous secukinumab (150 mg or 75 mg) or matched placebo every 4 weeks starting at week 8 while in the MEASURE 2 study 219 patients with AS received subcutaneous secukinumab (150 mg or 75 mg) or matched placebo at baseline at weeks 1, 2, and 3; and every 4 weeks starting at week 4. After 16 weeks of treatment, patients in the placebo group were randomly reassigned to subcutaneous secukinumab at a dose of 150 mg or 75 mg.31 In both studies disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy and previous anti-TNF therapy were allowed, however, about 70% of patients in the two studies were anti-TNF naïve. Secukinumab treatment showed efficacy in reducing the symptoms and signs of the disease: in the MEASURE 1 study, ASAS 20 response rate at 16 weeks was 61%, 60%, and 29% for subcutaneous secukinumab at doses of 150 mg, 75 mg, and for placebo, respectively (P<0.001 for both comparisons with placebo). In the MEASURE 2 study ASAS 20 response was achieved by a rate of 61%, 41%, and 28% for subcutaneous secukinumab at doses of 150 mg, 75 mg, and for placebo, respectively (P<0.001 for the 150 mg dose and P=0.10 for the 75 mg dose).31 In MEASURE 2, all secondary endpoints except ASAS partial remission were met with subcutaneous secukinumab treatment at a dose of 150 mg. Despite the higher exposure with the intravenous regime loading, no incremental benefits were observed in efficacy with the intravenous in comparison to subcutaneous administration. The rate of adverse events was similar in both studies, however, authors reported that rates of grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, candida infections, and Crohn’s disease were 0.7, 0.9, and 0.7 cases per 100 patient-years, respectively, in the arm of secukinumab-treated patients.31 The MEASURE 3 study is still ongoing with the estimated study completion date of November 2017 (www.ClinicalTrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02008916). On the basis of these two randomized trials, secukinumab was approved for the treatment of active AS. To demonstrate the clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability of secukinumab compared to placebo in patients with non-radiographic axial SpA, a phase III randomized controlled trial is still ongoing (www.ClinicalTrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02696031).

Data from a pilot study by Baraliakos et al showed the efficacy of secukinumab in reducing MRI bone marrow edema in AS patients: in 10 patients with AS treated with secukinumab, 87% of inflammatory lesions present at vertebral edges, at baseline, resolved after 94 weeks of treatment.32 The reduction of MRI inflammation is of crucial importance in order to stop radiographic progression of the disease. In a recent report, Baraliakos et al analyzed the data from the MEASURE 1 study and demonstrated that approximately 80% of patients randomized to secukinumab showed no radiographic progression (modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score – mSASSS change ≤0) from baseline to week 104 and, furthermore, new syndesmophytes were found in only 5% of patients who were without syndesmophytes after 104 weeks of treatment.33 The study confirmed that male sex (mean mSASSS change 0.38±2.79 vs 0.08±1.58 in females), elevated CRP levels (0.47±2.66 vs 0.02±2.27 in patients with normal CRP) and presence of syndesmophytes (0.47±3.20 vs 0.02±0.26 in patients with no syndesmophytes) were risk factors for radiographic spinal damage progression.33

Secukinumab for PsA

Recent evidence showed the role of Th17 cells, and other immune cells, as regulators of psoriatic skin inflammation. As discussed above, IL-17A is the principal cytokine produced by Th17. It stimulates keratinocytes to produce chemokines, cytokines, and other pro-inflammatory mediators, thereby enabling IL-17A to bridge the innate and adaptive immune systems to sustain chronic inflammation. In the same way, IL-17A is essential to maintain entheseal and joint inflammation in patients with PsA.8,14,26,34 For these reasons anti-IL-17A secukinumab was tested in psoriasis patients in two phase III, double-blind, randomized trials, ERASURE and FIXTURE, and showed a higher efficacy in Psoriasis Severity Index [PASI] 75 response compared to placebo and etanercept with a similar rate of infections compared to etanercept.35 In another trial on plaque psoriasis, secukinumab was found to be superior to ustekinumab with respect to PASI 90 response at week 16.36 Anti-IL-17 drug secukinumab was also tested in PsA in two phase III, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. In the FUTURE 2 study adults with active PsA were randomly assigned to receive subcutaneous placebo or secukinumab 300 mg, 150 mg, or 75 mg once a week from baseline and then every 4 weeks from week 4. A significantly higher proportion of patients achieved an American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20 at week 24 with secukinumab 300 mg (54%), 150 mg (51%), and 75 mg (29%) patients vs placebo (15%) patients.37

In this study secukinumab demonstrated its efficacy in both anti-TNF naïve and anti-TNF exposed patients; however anti-TNF naïve PsA patients seemed to have a better response.38

Up to week 16, the most common adverse events were upper respiratory tract infections in particular, nasopharyngitis. Serious adverse events were reported by five (5%), one (1%), and four (4%) patients in the secukinumab 300 mg, 150 mg, and 75 mg groups, respectively, compared with two (2%) in the placebo group. No deaths were reported.38 In a recent study, efficacy of secukinumab was shown regarding its inhibition of radiographic progression in patients with active PsA through 52 weeks of therapy.39

In the FUTURE 1 study, PsA patients were randomized 1:1:1 to receive intravenous secukinumab 10 mg/kg at weeks 0, 2, and 4 followed by subcutaneous secukinumab 150 or 75 mg every 4 weeks or matching placebo until week 24. In this study secukinumab treatment showed its efficacy in the resolution of enthesitis and dactylitis: 73.1% of patients treated with secukinumab 10 mg/kg intravenously and then 75 mg subcutaneously had a resolution of dactylitis while 58.9% of patients treated with the same regime had resolution of enthesitis after 52 weeks of treatment.40 In a sub-analysis of FUTURE 1, secukinumab treatment improved patient-reported outcomes in subjects with active PsA: secukinumab-treated patients reported greater least squares mean changes from baseline than those receiving placebo in patient global assessment of disease activity (−20.6 and −20.0 vs −7.4, respectively), patient assessment of pain (−20.8 and −20.4 vs −6.7), PsA quality of life (−3.5 and −3.2 vs −0.4), Dermatology Life Quality Index (−8.8 and −7.9 vs 0.7), and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (6.74 and 6.03 vs 4.00).41 This study demonstrated the efficacy of anti-IL-17 treatment in the improvement of the overall quality of life of patients, beyond the efficacy on inflammatory aspects of the disease.

Data from studies on patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis seem to confirm a favorable safety and tolerability profile of secukinumab. A comprehensive analysis of pooled safety data from 10 phase II and III clinical studies in psoriasis with 3,430 subjects who received secukinumab or etanercept representing 2,725 subject-years of exposure, show comparable incidence rates of total serious and nonserious adverse events; serious and nonserious infections; malignant or unspecified tumors and adjudicated major adverse cardiovascular events over 52 weeks.42 Extension studies are ongoing to further confirm the longer-term safety experience with secukinumab in psoriasis. Table 1 shows the published and still ongoing randomized controlled trials of secukinumab treatment in AS and PsA patients.

Table 1.

Published and still ongoing randomized controlled trials of secukinumab treatment in AS and PsA

Disease	Reference	Type of study	Name	Description
AS	Baeten et al,30 2013	Phase II		Anti-interleukin-17A monoclonal antibody secukinumab in treatment of ankylosing spondylitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
	Baeten et al,31 2015	Phase III	MEASURE 1	Secukinumab, an interleukin-17A Inhibitor, in ankylosing spondylitis
	Baeten et al,31 2015	Phase III	MEASURE 2	Secukinumab, an Interleukin-17A Inhibitor, in ankylosing spondylitis
	ClinicalTrial.gov Ongoing study	Phase III		A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study of secukinumab to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy up to 2 years in patients with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis
	ClinicalTrial.gov Ongoing study	Phase III	MEASURE 3	A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III study of secukinumab to demonstrate the efficacy at 16 weeks and to assess the long-term safety, tolerability and efficacy up to 3 years in subjects with active ankylosing spondylitis
		Phase III	ASTRUM	A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study of secukinumab (AIN457) to examine the clinical efficacy and the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-sparing effect of secukinumab over 16 weeks in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
PsA	Mease et al,40 2015	Phase III	FUTURE 1	Secukinumab inhibition of interleukin-17A in patients with psoriatic arthritis
	McInnes et al,37 2015	Phase III	FUTURE 2	Secukinumab, a human anti-interleukin-17A monoclonal antibody, in patients with psoriatic arthritis (FUTURE 2): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial
	ClinicalTrial.gov Ongoing study	Phase III	FUTURE 4	A phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study of subcutaneous secukinumab (150 mg) in pre-filled syringe, with or without loading regimen, to demonstrate efficacy, safety and tolerability up to 2 years in patients with active psoriatic arthritis
	ClinicalTrial.gov Ongoing study	Phase III	FUTURE 5	Phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled multi-center study of subcutaneous secukinumab (150 mg and 300 mg) in prefilled syringe to demonstrate efficacy (including inhibition of structural damage), safety, and tolerability up to 2 years in subjects with active psoriatic arthritis

Abbreviations: AS, ankylosing spondylitis; PsA, psoriatic arthritis.

Conclusion

The treatment of SpA still represents a challenge for rheumatologists, and improving standards of care in AS and PsA, for instance, is needed.43 Secukinumab has been approved for the treatment of AS and PsA by regulatory authorities and is playing an important role in the treatment of all SpA features, demonstrating promising results in the prevention of radiographic damage, regarding both the aspects of peripheral joint erosion in PsA and new bone formation in AS. Recently, secukinumab has been included in the recent EULAR update 201544 and GRAPPA 201545 recommendation for the treatment of PsA. Further studies, especially in a clinical practice setting, are necessary to better understand the efficacy and safety profile.