How does secukinumab improve skin response in Chinese patients with psoriatic arthritis?

Secukinumab is a biologic drug that targets interleukin-17A, a protein involved in inflammation. In Chinese patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), it effectively clears skin plaques and improves daily life. A large real-world study of 446 patients found major reductions in skin severity scores and better quality of life after 12 weeks of treatment ⁶⁹.

What the research says

A 2026 multicenter study of 446 Chinese PsA patients (mean age 47.7 years, 65.2% men) showed that secukinumab significantly improved skin response ⁶⁹. The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), which measures skin redness, thickness, and scaling, dropped from an average of 14.2 to 4.0 after 12 weeks (p < 0.001) ⁶⁹. Body Surface Area (BSA) and Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) also improved ⁶⁹. Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores improved from 11.9 to 4.4 (p < 0.001), meaning patients felt better about their skin's impact on daily life ⁶⁹. The link between skin clearance and quality of life became stronger after treatment ⁶⁹. A separate study of 717 psoriasis patients found that for secukinumab, male sex was linked to lower odds of achieving PASI90 (a 90% improvement), while a family history of psoriasis improved outcomes ¹⁰. The study also built a nomogram to predict which patients would respond best, using factors like baseline PASI and body weight ⁶⁹. Side effects were monitored and were generally mild to moderate ⁶⁹.

What to ask your doctor

• How does secukinumab compare with other biologics for my skin symptoms?
• What is my expected PASI improvement based on my personal factors (e.g., sex, family history)?
• How will we monitor my skin response and quality of life during treatment?
• What are the common side effects of secukinumab, and how are they managed?
• Should I consider the predictive nomogram for treatment response discussed in recent studies?