Kyntheum (Brodalumab) - SMC Publishes Advice on Biologic Treatment for Psoriasis

After an appeal and re-assessment of evidence, Kyntheum (Brodalumab) is recommended for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in Scotland.

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has published its decision to recommend the biologic medication Kyntheum (also known by its generic name, Brodalumab) as a treatment option for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in Scotland.

Kyntheum is recommended for adults whose psoriasis has not responded to conventional systemic treatments (including ciclosporin, methotrexate and phototherapy), or who cannot tolerate these treatments.

This decision brings the availability of Kyntheum in Scotland into alignment with England and Wales, following the decision taken by NICE in March 2018.

The SMC's positive decision comes after an appeal and re-assessment of evidence, following its initial decision not to recommend Kyntheum for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, taken on 11th December 2017.

How does Kyntheum work?

Kyntheum blocks the activity of interleukin 17A (IL-17A), a chemical ’messenger’ in the immune system that signals other cells to cause inflammation. In people with psoriasis, the immune system is overactive and creates too much inflammation, which leads to the development of psoriasis symptoms. By blocking IL-17A, Kyntheum aims to prevent some of that inflammation from occurring, leading to an improvement in psoriasis for some people who take it.

Other biologic medications that block the activity of IL-17A, called Cosentyx (Secukinumab) and Taltz (Ixekizumab) are currently available for people with severe psoriasis.

How is Kyntheum used?

Individuals take Kyntheum at home by giving themselves an injection under the skin via a pre-filled syringe. Most people will be trained by a nurse to give the injection to themselves. The first doses are taken once a week for the first three weeks, but after that Kyntheum is usually taken every two weeks.

People taking Kyntheum will have regular blood tests every three to six months - usually carried out by Dermatology Nurses, or by their own GP - to monitor for infections or other possible effects of the treatment. People taking Kyntheum are more at risk of infections and so should be vaccinated against pneumonia and have an annual flu vaccination. However, not all vaccinations are safe in people taking Kyntheum; ‘live’ vaccinations should be avoided. Check with a doctor or nurse before having any vaccinations or taking other medication if you are not sure.

For more information about Kyntheum, have a read of our information sheet.