Long-term continuation with secukinumab in psoriasis: association with patient profile and initial psoriasis clearance

Background There are limited data regarding the long-term continuation with biological therapy for patients with psoriasis. In particular, the reasons for secukinumab discontinuation have not been thoroughly investigated. Aim To better ascertain the real-life continuation of secukinumab in psoriasis, we conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the incidence, causes and factors of secukinumab discontinuation in patients with psoriasis. Methods All patients treated with secukinumab for psoriasis in the Department of Dermatology (Toulouse University and Larrey Hospital, Toulouse, France), between September 2011 and June 2017, were enrolled in the study. Results Of the 91 patients in the study, 22 (24.2%) discontinued secukinumab. In 14 (15%) patients, the discontinuation was due to loss of efficacy. Two patients stopped treatment because they planned a pregnancy and five patients stopped because of adverse events. A longer disease duration (P = 0.01) and presence of palmoplantar psoriasis (P = 0.01) seem to be predictive factors for treatment failure. Patients reaching 90 or 100% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI90 and PASI100, respectively) at weeks 12-16 had a lower risk of long-term treatment discontinuation compared with patients who had less complete clearance (P = 0.04). Conclusion Long-term persistence of secukinumab appears to be good, as only 24.2% (n = 22) of the patients in this study discontinued secukinumab over the follow-up period. Loss of efficacy prompted discontinuation in about 14% of patients by the 2-year follow-up. Persistence appears to be lower in patients with palmoplantar psoriasis and in patients previously exposed to many systemic treatments. Optimal therapeutic response at 12-16 weeks as defined by reaching PASI90-100 seems to be predictive of long-term treatment persistence.