Behcet’s disease affects thousands of individuals worldwide, causing a range of debilitating symptoms. Currently, there is no definitive cure for this condition, but the ongoing trial offers hope for a breakthrough.
Behcet’s disease is a chronic, multisystem inflammatory disorder that primarily affects blood vessels throughout the body. Named after the Turkish dermatologist Hulusi Behcet, who first described the condition in 1937, Behcet’s is characterised by recurrent oral and genital ulcers, eye inflammation, skin lesions, and various systemic manifestations. It is considered a rare disease, affecting an estimated 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 20,000 people worldwide.
The exact cause of Behcet’s disease remains unknown, but it is believed to involve an abnormal immune response, possibly triggered by genetic and environmental factors. The unpredictable nature of the disease and its wide range of symptoms make it challenging to diagnose and manage effectively. Current treatment approaches primarily focus on symptom relief and reducing inflammation.
In recent years, there has been growing interest in exploring the potential of biologic therapies in treating Behcet’s disease. One such promising candidate is Secukinumab, a monoclonal antibody that selectively targets interleukin-17A (IL-17A), a cytokine involved in the inflammatory processes underlying Behcet’s disease. The ongoing clinical trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Secukinumab in patients with Behcet’s disease.
The Secukinumab in Behcet’s trial has been running in several clinical sites of excellence in the United Kingdom since June 2022 Barts Health NHS Trust and Liverpool University NHS FT with 64 patients recruited.
These sites are renowned for their expertise in clinical research and patient care, ensuring the trial’s success and patient well-being.
PHARMExcel is proud to be working with Professor Moots and sponsor, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS FT on this exciting double blind, placebo-controlled Phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Secukinumab in patients with Behçet’s syndrome.
In addition to managing the NHS contract Behçet’s Patients Centres also provide Behçet’s Patients Support service for patients registered at a Centre of Excellence.
This service funds a Behçet’s Patient Support Co-ordinator at each Centre of Excellence. Find out what they do and how they can help here Behçet’s Patient Support
If you want to learn more about Behcet’s disease, its symptoms, diagnosis, and available treatments, we recommend exploring Behcet’s UK behcetsuk.org
We will continue to monitor the progress of the Secukinumab in Behcet’s trial and bring you updates as they become available. The potential for a new treatment option that could significantly improve the lives of Behcet’s patients is truly exciting. Together, we can advance the understanding and management of rare diseases like Behcet’s.
