Methotrexate vs secukinumab safety in psoriasis patients with metabolic syndrome

The safety of methotrexate in psoriasis patients with metabolic syndrome could be argued because of increased risk of liver toxicity. The aim of the study was to investigate the safety of methotrexate compared with secukinumab in psoriasis patients with metabolic syndrome. A controlled, open trial in psoriasis patients with metabolic syndrome, candidate to methotrexate, or secukinumab. Primary end point of the study was investigating any variations in waist circumference, body mass index, blood pressure, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine levels between baseline and month-6 and 12 of follow-up in the two treatment cohorts. A total of 130 (110 male and 20 female) patients were consecutively assigned in a 1:1 ratio to treatment with methotrexate (n = 64) dosed 15 mg weekly or secukinumab (n = 66) at standard dose. At month-6 and month-12 serum levels of liver enzymes were significantly increased only in patients treated with methotrexate (P < .01). Three times elevation of liver enzymes was reported in 4 of 64 patients receiving methotrexate, causing drug withdrawal. No significant changes in other parameters were observed. Methotrexate could induce a liver enzyme increase whereas secukinumab has a neutral effect.