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Drug breakthrough for psoriasis sufferers
October 14, 2005An international team led by a dermatologist at The University of Manchester has found that treatment with the emerging drug infliximab, marketed as Remicade, can quickly and significantly improve psoriasis symptoms.
The European Infliximab for Psoriasis Efficacy and Safety Study (EXPRESS) was a placebo-controlled trial on 378 patients with moderate to severe psoriasis, to test the efficacy and safety of the drug. The findings, published in the 15 October issue of The Lancet, show that 80% of patients achieved at least a 75% improvement in symptoms after ten weeks treatment with the drug, as opposed to just 3% of those receiving a placebo.
Psoriasis is a chronic condition which results when skin cells over-produce and accumulate on the surface of the skin, producing red, scaly 'plaques' which may itch and bleed. It is thought to be genetic in origin and is a consequence of an abnormal inflammatory response in the skin. Around 2% of the population suffer from the disease, with about 30% of cases considered moderate to severe, but until now treatment options have been limited.
Infliximab blocks the activity of 'tumour necrosis factor alpha' (TNF-alpha), a protein involved in inflammation, and the vast majority of the trial subjects treated with the drug achieved clinically-significant levels of skin clearance. Nearly 60% experienced at least a 90% improvement in symptoms - or near-complete skin clearance - after ten weeks, versus 1% receiving the placebo, whilst 26% achieved complete skin clearance (versus 0% receiving the placebo). The improvements continued throughout the 50-week study.
Professor Christopher Griffiths, the University academic leading the trial from the Dermatology Centre at Hope Hospital, Salford, said: "These results indicate that Infliximab is a very effective therapy among the newer biological treatments for psoriasis. As a dermatologist, I am very encouraged by the data, which show that patients with moderate to severe psoriasis can rapidly achieve skin clearance and that these results can be maintained."
Patients receiving Infliximab also experienced a good response in nail psoriasis, which is present in 20 - 50% of psoriasis patients and often thought of as a treatment-resistant disease. By week 24 of the trial, those receiving the drug were experiencing a 56% average decrease in this condition, and again this response was maintained throughout the trial.
"Physicians' assessments of the patients' conditions backed up our findings," confirmed Professor Griffiths, "with 83% of those receiving the drug assessed as having minimal or cleared symptoms by week 10 of the trial as opposed to just 4% of those receiving the placebo."
University of Manchester
Infliximab blocks the activity of 'tumour necrosis factor alpha' (TNF-alpha), a protein involved in inflammation, and the vast majority of the trial subjects treated with the drug achieved clinically-significant levels of skin clearance. Nearly 60% experienced at least a 90% improvement in symptoms - or near-complete skin clearance - after ten weeks, versus 1% receiving the placebo, whilst 26% achieved complete skin clearance (versus 0% receiving the placebo). The improvements continued throughout the 50-week study.
Professor Christopher Griffiths, the University academic leading the trial from the Dermatology Centre at Hope Hospital, Salford, said: "These results indicate that Infliximab is a very effective therapy among the newer biological treatments for psoriasis. As a dermatologist, I am very encouraged by the data, which show that patients with moderate to severe psoriasis can rapidly achieve skin clearance and that these results can be maintained."
Patients receiving Infliximab also experienced a good response in nail psoriasis, which is present in 20 - 50% of psoriasis patients and often thought of as a treatment-resistant disease. By week 24 of the trial, those receiving the drug were experiencing a 56% average decrease in this condition, and again this response was maintained throughout the trial.
"Physicians' assessments of the patients' conditions backed up our findings," confirmed Professor Griffiths, "with 83% of those receiving the drug assessed as having minimal or cleared symptoms by week 10 of the trial as opposed to just 4% of those receiving the placebo."
University of Manchester
Psoriasis Current Events and Psoriasis News RSSCurry-cure? Spicing up the effectiveness of a potential disease-fighter
Scientists are reporting development of a nano-size capsule that boosts the body's uptake of curcumin, an ingredient in yellow curry now being evaluated in clinical trials for treatment of several diseases.
Skin-disease patients show brain immunity to faces of disgust
People with psoriasis - an often distressing dermatological condition that causes lesions and red scaly patches on the skin - are less likely to react to looks of disgust by others than people without the condition, new research has found.
Gene variation is 'major genetic determinant of psoriasis'
A specific genetic region that has been increasingly identified as the strongest genetic link to psoriasis has an even more significant role in the chronic skin disease than has been suspected, University of Utah medical researchers show in a new study.
Drug rescues memory lost to Alzheimer's disease
A drug similar to one used in clinical trials for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis has been found to rescue memory in mice exhibiting Alzheimer's symptoms.
Post-transplant combo can replace toxic immune-suppressing drugs in monkeys
Transplant patients rely on drugs to prevent graft rejection, but at the cost of serious side effects.
Psoriasis associated with cardiovascular disease and increased mortality
The skin disease psoriasis is associated with atherosclerosis (a buildup of plaque in the arteries) characterized by an increased prevalence of ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease and an increased risk of death.
Scientists discover new genetic immune disorder in children
Your immune system plays an important function in your health-it protects you against viruses, bacteria, and other toxins that can cause disease.
Study finds unexpected bacterial diversity on human skin
The health of our skin - one of the body's first lines of defense against illness and injury - depends upon the delicate balance between our own cells and the millions of bacteria and other one-celled microbes that live on its surface.
Vitamin D may halt lung function decline in asthma and COPD
Vitamin D may slow the progressive decline in the ability to breathe that can occur in people with asthma as a result of human airway smooth muscle (HASM) proliferation, according to researchers at the University of Pennsylvania.
Home UVB therapy for psoriasis as effective and safe as hospital treatment
For patients with psoriasis, treatment with ultraviolet B (UVB) at home is as effective and as safe as conventional hospital based phototherapy, concludes a study published on bmj.com today.
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Loma Lux Homeopathic Medicine, Psoriasis, 8 fl oz (237 ml) by Loma Lux For relief from the scaling, itching and redness of Psoriasis and Seborrhea. Take orally. 2% Alcohol. Dermatologist Steven A. Smith, MD, developed the Loma Lux Psoriasis formula & has proven its effectiveness in treating thousands of patients for psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis. Get relief from scaling, flaking, redness, pain and itching with Loma Lux Psoriasis. I spent hundreds of dollars on creams from the doctor; nothing worked. A miracle came in Loma Lux Psoriasis! before the first month was up I noticed a big difference in my psoriasis. My skin cleared with continued use. Loma Lux is dedicated to promote worldwide health and wholeness using natural, low dose, low side effect treatments, bringing freedom from chronic diseases. |
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Adovia Natural Dead Sea Mud Soap - Great for Eczema, Psoriasis or Acne! by Adovia Mineral Skin Care Our All Natural Black Mud Soap contains a unique combination of Dead Sea minerals derived from Dead Sea Mud. This effective mud soap removes dirt and cleanses your skin, while simultaneously infusing it with minerals essential to keeping your skin hydrated and moisturized. Our Dead Sea mud soap is enriched with century old Dead Sea mud, leaving your skin cleansed and nourished. As more people are learning about the healing and beauty effects of black mud from The Dead Sea, this soap is becoming a very popular choice for skin care conscious people. |
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Mg 217 Intensive Strength Medicated Tar Ointment for Psoriasis - 3.8 Oz by Mg 217 Mg 217 Intensive Strength Medicated Tar Ointment for Psoriasis is specially formulated to control the itching, redness and scaling from skin psoriasis. |
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