Secukinumab Doubles Remission Rate in Polymyalgia Rheumatica

The REPLENISH trial finds secukinumab doubles the remission rate and significantly lowers steroid use in relapsing polymyalgia rheumatica.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A phase 3 trial found that the anti-interleukin (IL)-17A monoclonal antibody secukinumab doubled the rate of sustained remission in patients with relapsing polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) compared to placebo. Patients treated with secukinumab also required significantly less glucocorticoids than those in the placebo group.

Why it matters

PMR is a common inflammatory rheumatic disease affecting older adults, and current first-line treatment with glucocorticoids is often associated with adverse outcomes. The positive results of the REPLENISH trial suggest secukinumab could be an effective new treatment option that reduces steroid use and associated toxicity in this patient population.

The details

The REPLENISH trial involved 381 adults aged 50 or older with relapsing PMR. Participants were randomly assigned to receive 300 mg or 150 mg of secukinumab or placebo for 52 weeks, combined with a 24-week tapering prednisone regimen. At 52 weeks, 41.2% of the 300-mg group and 40.6% of the 150-mg group achieved sustained remission, compared to 20.4% in the placebo group. Secukinumab groups also required significantly less glucocorticoids than the placebo group.

  • The REPLENISH trial was presented at the 22nd International Vasculitis Workshop (IVW) 2026.
  • The trial lasted 52 weeks, with a 24-week tapering prednisone regimen.

The players

John Stone, MD

A rheumatologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston who presented the REPLENISH trial data.

Xavier Puéchal, MD, PhD

A rheumatologist at the Reference Center for Rare Systemic Autoimmune Diseases at Cochin Hospital and Paris Cité University in Paris who commented on the presentation.

Novartis

The pharmaceutical company that sponsored the REPLENISH trial.

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What they’re saying

“It is clear that patients who are experiencing a relapse of their PMR after a disease remission will benefit from this medication.”

— John Stone, MD, Rheumatologist (Medscape Medical News)

“It is also clear that patients who are at high risk of doing poorly with prolonged glucocorticoid use may benefit substantially from the early use of secukinumab, perhaps even as part of the primary treatment approach.”

— John Stone, MD, Rheumatologist (Medscape Medical News)

“I think it's a very positive point for patients with relapsing polymyalgia rheumatica, that there is an option which has proven now to be efficacious.”

— Xavier Puéchal, MD, PhD, Rheumatologist (Medscape Medical News)

What’s next

Further research is needed to determine if secukinumab could also be effective for the treatment of giant cell arteritis, as a previous phase 3 trial did not meet its primary endpoint in that condition.

The takeaway

The REPLENISH trial demonstrates that secukinumab is a promising new treatment option for patients with relapsing polymyalgia rheumatica, as it can significantly improve remission rates and reduce the need for long-term glucocorticoid use, which is associated with serious adverse effects in this elderly patient population.