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Study compares effectiveness of psoriasis treatments

18.05.12

Joel M. Gelfand, M.D., M.S.C.E., of the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine in Philadelphia, and colleagues compared the effectiveness of biologic systemic therapy, nonbiologic systemic therapy , and phototherapy for treatment of psoriasis in a cohort of 713 patients with plaque psoriasis. Participants received monotherapy (methotrexate sodium, adalimumab , etanercept , or ustekinumab) or narrowband ultraviolet (UV)-B phototherapy. The primary outcome was clear or almost clear skin on the Physician Global Assessment Scale.

The researchers found that the proportion of patients who achieved the primary outcome was 23.8 percent with methotrexate, 47.7 percent with adalimumab, 34.2 percent with etanercept, 36.1 percent with ustekinumab, and 26.1 percent with narrowband UV-B. Patients receiving adalimumab, etanercept, and ustekinumab were significantly more likely to achieve the primary outcome than those receiving methotrexate, whereas there was no significant difference for those receiving phototherapy versus methotrexate. There was no response difference seen for quality of life.

Source: Medical Xpress

Two Experimental Drugs Could Improve Psoriasis Treatment

18.05.12

WEDNESDAY, March 28 (HealthDay News) -- A new type of treatment may be on the horizon for people with moderate to severe cases of the chronic skin condition known as psoriasis.

Two studies, published in the March 29 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine , found that drugs that interfere with an immune system molecule called interleukin-17 (IL-17) led to significant improvements in skin lesions for more than 75 percent of patients over a 12-week period.

Both studies were phase 2 clinical trials, which researchers conduct to determine the safest and most effective dose. The drugs next have to be tested in more people over a longer period of time.

Although the effectiveness of IL-17 inhibitors seems similar to that of other biologic drugs for psoriasis that are already on the market, such as Enbrel and Stelara, these drugs could offer patients more and possibly safer options, said Dr. Craig Leonardi, a clinical professor of dermatology at Saint Louis University who was involved in both IL-17 studies.

Source: U.S. News & World Report