Product Theater – Complete Cosentyx Approach: Educational Series Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis

Featuring Guest Faculty, Douglas DiRuggiero, MHS, PA-C

For the Thursday morning product theater, Douglas DiRuggiero, MHS, PA-C, reviewed psoriasis and specifically treatment with the biologic medication Cosentyx. Mr. DiRuggiero emphasized both the effectiveness and safety of Cosentyx in his presentation. There are currently up to 75, 000 patients using Cosentyx, the first and only fully human monoclonal antibody that specifically targets IL-17A. IL-17A is a naturally occurring cytokine involved in the normal inflammatory and immune response. Cosentyx is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adult patients who are candidates for systemic therapy. Additionally, Cosentyx is also indicated for the treatment of adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis.

Mr. DiRuggiero reviewed the spondyloarthropathies with the acronym PAIR, P=psoriatic arthritis, A=ankylosing spondylitis, I=inflammatory bowel disease and R=reactive arthritis. Despite the high rates of psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis and efficacy of biologics for the treatment of these conditions, only 1/3 of dermatologists prescribe biologics for their patients with these conditions in the US. Cosentyx is a subcutaneous injection medication. The fast onset of Cosentyx is one of the benefits to this medication, with a PASI 75 score at 12 weeks. Additionally, there is long term, 5-year safety and efficacy data. An additional benefit of Cosentyx is it has been found to inhibit the progression of joint structural damage in psoriatic arthritis.

Despite the high rates of psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis and efficacy of biologics for the treatment of these conditions, only 1/3 of dermatologists prescribe biologics for their patients with these conditions in the US.

Lastly, Cosentyx has been found effective in the treatment of the troublesome conditions of nail, scalp and palmoplantar psoriasis. The only contraindication of treatment with Cosentyx is an allergy to the medication. It is recommended that caution be used when using Cosentyx in patients with chronic infections or a history of recurrent infection. Patients who use Cosentyx have been found to have a slightly increased risk of infections, the majority of which are nasopharyngitis, when compared to placebo.