Updates from EADV: Cosentyx Autoinjector, Genetic Variants Linked to Genital Warts, At-Home PDT Shows Promise

• Treatment with Cosentyx®(secukinumab) 300mg in a 2mL autoinjector (UnoReady® pen) was more effective than placebo and achieved high patient satisfaction compared to two 150mg pre-filled syringes, according to Phase 3b data presented at the EADV 30thAnniversary Congress and reported by Novartis. The MATURE study, which compared the 300mg autoinjector to two 150mg syringes or placebo in adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, found 100 percent of those in the UnoReady group were “Satisfied” or “Very satisfied” at week 28. The UnoReady pen was approved for use in Europe in November 2020 for all patients requiring a 300mg dose of Cosentyx. 

• New research presented at the EADV 30th Congress reveals a link between genital warts and the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and suggest that genetic variants in the HLA system influence the risk of genital warts.

Researchers identified 12 protective gene variations and seven risk alleles in their patient cohort. Individuals with risk alleles were less successful at recognizing the HPV virus and therefore more likely to present with genital warts. Conversely, participants with protective alleles had better immune responses and were more effective at recognizing HPV, limiting the likelihood of presenting with condylomas.

• A new prototype at-home photodynamic therapy (PDT) device significantly reduces pain levels during treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and offers efficacy comparable with hospital-based treatment. Findings were presented at the 30th EADV Congress. 

15 BCC patients took part in the pilot study at Amaral Carvalho Hospital together with Sao Carlos Institute of Physics, in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. The first PDT session was performed at the hospital where a 20% methyl aminolevulinate cream was applied to the BCC lesion, which was then illuminated for 20 minutes with a commercial red light LED device. 

Immediately after the first illumination, a light layer of cream was applied and the new portable irradiation device—the size of a coin—was fixed to the skin using medical adhesive tape. The patient was then sent home and advised to turn on the illumination after 1.5 hours and turn it off after 2twohours.

According to histological analysis, the clearance at 30 days after PDT was 86.67%, which is similar to standard PDT treatment. Pain scores were significantly lower for the PDT treatment performed at home, compared to hospital treatment.