Experimental Psoriasis Drug Shows Promise
Guselkumab appears more effective than standard treatment, researchers report
WEDNESDAY, July 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Preliminary trial results suggest that an experimental psoriasis drug may control the chronic skin disease better than the current standard treatment.
The drug, guselkumab, was compared to the commonly used medication adalimumab (Humira, Enbrel) in a study involving nearly 300 patients with plaque psoriasis.
Up to 86 percent of patients who received guselkumab cleared their psoriasis or had minimal psoriasis after 16 weeks of treatment, compared to 58 percent of patients taking adalimumab, the researchers reported.
However, patients getting guselkumab were somewhat more prone to infections, the researchers said.
"As a dermatologist, I am particularly excited about the potential of guselkumab and what this investigational therapy may mean for patients and the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in the future," said lead researcher Dr. Kristian Reich, a partner at Dermatologikum in Hamburg, Germany.
The drug works by blocking the protein interleukin-23 (IL23), which plays a role in the immune system and autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis.
The study -- the second of three phases of trials needed for drug approval in the United States -- shows that blocking IL-23 resulted in significant skin clearance, Reich said.
"These findings provide important insights into the role of IL-23 in psoriasis and the potential therapeutic benefit of guselkumab. My patients specifically like the long injection intervals," Reich said.
After an initial injection, another one is given at four weeks and again every eight weeks or 12 weeks, he said.
Psoriasis causes itchy, dry and red skin. It also increases a patient's risk for depression, heart disease and diabetes, among other conditions, the researchers said in background notes with the study. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of the disease.
Reich said the drug is now being tested in more patients in a phase 3 trial.
"Findings from the ongoing phase 3 trial studies will provide even greater insights into the efficacy [effectiveness] and safety profile of this novel drug," Reich said.
The trial was funded by the drug's maker, Janssen Biotech Inc., a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. The results were published July 9 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Experimental Psoriasis Drug Shows Promise
Guselkumab appears more effective than standard treatment, researchers report
WEDNESDAY, July 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Preliminary trial results suggest that an experimental psoriasis drug may control the chronic skin disease better than the current standard treatment.
The drug, guselkumab, was compared to the commonly used medication adalimumab (Humira, Enbrel) in a study involving nearly 300 patients with plaque psoriasis.
Up to 86 percent of patients who received guselkumab cleared their psoriasis or had minimal psoriasis after 16 weeks of treatment, compared to 58 percent of patients taking adalimumab, the researchers reported.
However, patients getting guselkumab were somewhat more prone to infections, the researchers said.
"As a dermatologist, I am particularly excited about the potential of guselkumab and what this investigational therapy may mean for patients and the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in the future," said lead researcher Dr. Kristian Reich, a partner at Dermatologikum in Hamburg, Germany.
The drug works by blocking the protein interleukin-23 (IL23), which plays a role in the immune system and autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis.
The study -- the second of three phases of trials needed for drug approval in the United States -- shows that blocking IL-23 resulted in significant skin clearance, Reich said.
"These findings provide important insights into the role of IL-23 in psoriasis and the potential therapeutic benefit of guselkumab. My patients specifically like the long injection intervals," Reich said.
After an initial injection, another one is given at four weeks and again every eight weeks or 12 weeks, he said.
Psoriasis causes itchy, dry and red skin. It also increases a patient's risk for depression, heart disease and diabetes, among other conditions, the researchers said in background notes with the study. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of the disease.
Reich said the drug is now being tested in more patients in a phase 3 trial.
"Findings from the ongoing phase 3 trial studies will provide even greater insights into the efficacy [effectiveness] and safety profile of this novel drug," Reich said.
The trial was funded by the drug's maker, Janssen Biotech Inc., a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. The results were published July 9 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
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