Secukinumab is superior to ustekinumab in clearing skin of subjects with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis up to 1 year: Results from the CLEAR study

Background Secukinumab demonstrated superior efficacy to ustekinumab at week 4 and week 16 of the CLEAR study, with comparable safety, in subjects with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of secukinumab and ustekinumab use over 52 weeks. Methods Analysis of 52-week data from CLEAR, a randomized, double-blind, phase 3b study. Results Among 676 randomized subjects, secukinumab demonstrated superiority to ustekinumab at week 52 in the proportion of subjects with ≥90% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 90) (76% vs 61% [P < .0001]); PASI 100 responses were 46% versus 36% (P = .0103) and Investigator's Global Assessment responses of clear/almost clear skin were 80% versus 65% (P < .0001). Subjects on secukinumab reported greater reductions in psoriasis-related pain, itching, and scaling, and greater improvement across all quality-of-life measures evaluated (Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI], EuroQoL 5-Dimension Health Questionnaire, Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire-Psoriasis, and Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index). At week 52, 72% of subjects on secukinumab versus 59% on ustekinumab (P = .0008) reported no impact of skin disease on their lives (DLQI 0/1 response). Safety and tolerability was comparable. Limitations There was no placebo arm. Conclusion In this head-to-head, double-blind study, secukinumab demonstrated sustained superior efficacy in comparison with ustekinumab in clearing skin through week 52, greater improvement in quality of life, and a favorable and comparable safety profile.