Janssen’s results show Tremfya beats Cosentyx in late stage psoriasis study
Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen has announced their results from Phase III ECLIPSE study, which show superior long-term efficacy of Tremfya (guselkumab) compared with Cosentyx (secukinumab) in adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
The data, which was published in The Lancet, showed a significantly higher proportion of Tremfya patients achieved a PASI 90 response at Week 48 compared to those taking Cosentyx. Additionally, Tremfya patients also demonstrated superiority of clinical response at Week 48 based on 90% or better improvement in patients’ Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score compared to baseline.
During the trial, patients were randomised to receive 100mg of Tremfya administered by subcutaneous injection at weeks zero and four, followed by every eight-week dosing; or 300mg of Cosentyx administered by two subcutaneous injections of 150mg at weeks zero, one, two, three and four followed by every four-week dosing.
Despite availability of advanced therapies, many adults living with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis have difficulty maintaining response to treatment. Studies (such as ECLIPSE) that compare efficacy at longer-term end points may help healthcare professionals make more informed decisions for treating psoriasis, a chronic, life-long disease.
In the latter half of last year, the ECLIPSE trial found that Janssen’s selective interleukin (IL)-23 inhibitor was more effective than Cosentyx at reducing the severity and area of the body affected by the condition, with 84.5% of patients achieving at least 90% improvement in their baseline Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score at week 48 compared with just 70% of those taking Cosentyx.
Commenting on the results, study investigator Richard Langley said: “The response-over-time curves show that maximum response rates with Tremfya are achieved after six months and are maintained over time through one year.”
He added then added that the data “confirm a slightly more rapid onset of response with Cosentyx, but importantly, in a chronic disease like psoriasis, these data provide new insights into comparative longer-term efficacy.”
Tremfya was approved in Europe for plaque psoriasis in November last year, while Cosentyx won EU clearance in January 2015.
Source: PharmaTimes