Phase 3 Trial of Secukinumab in Polymyalgia Rheumatica.

Secukinumab significantly increases remission rates and reduces glucocorticoid use in relapsed polymyalgia rheumatica patients compared to placebo.

• Why it matters: Polymyalgia rheumatica often relapses and requires glucocorticoids, which cause harmful side effects, highlighting the need for safer, effective treatments.
• What they did: A phase 3 trial enrolled 381 patients, randomly assigning them to receive secukinumab at 150 mg, 300 mg, or placebo, alongside a 24-week glucocorticoid taper, and assessed remission and glucocorticoid use over 52 weeks.
• The result: Remission at 52 weeks was achieved in about 41% of secukinumab groups versus 20% with placebo, with secukinumab also lowering cumulative glucocorticoid doses, despite some increased adverse events.