New Psoriasis Drug Shows Great Results

Are you one of the 7 1/2 million Americans that suffer from psoriasis? If so, there may be more hope for those of you who suffer from this chronic autoimmune disease. Scientists have recently tested a new drug called ISA247, a type of calcineurin inhibitor used to aid in the treatment of psoriasis and other autoimmune conditions. Researchers have found that this immune-suppressing drug appears to be effective when treating moderate to severe cases of plaque psoriasis. while causing no significant changes in renal functions or blood pressure. Currently, a similar drug called cyclosporine is used to treat the condition, but usage has to be limited due to side effects that may cause kidney damage.

Plaque psoriasis, the most common form of psoriasis, can affect small to large patches of skin on the entire body and can be disfiguring.. Researchers are unsure of the cause of the skin condition, but believe it could be triggered by stress and it does tend to run in families, meaning a genetic link.

After an industry-sponsored Phase III trial study, Kim Papp, M.D., of Probity Medical Research and colleagues, reported in the April 19 issue of The Lancet that the calcineurin inhibitor ISA247 significantly reduced the extent of psoriases when compared to placebo during two of the three tested doses. The Lancet medical journal also reported that during the trial study, treatment using the new drug resulted in 75 percent success in treating the affected area. The new drug blocks cell signals that have been linked to over-productivity of the immune system.

During the study conducted by Dr. Papp, a four-arm trial was performed in patients who had plaque psoriasis over 10 percent of their bodies and were 18- 25 years of age. Each patient received random placebo treatments or oral ISA247 twice a day at increments of .2, .3 or .4 milligrams per kilogram of body weight to test its efficiency. The treatment was conducted on 451 patients divided into four groups. If a patients condition was 75 percent better or had a severity index of (PASI 75) after 12 weeks of treatment it was deemed a success.

After the twelve-week study, researchers determined that the success was directly related to the dosage; the higher the dosage, the greater the success of the treatment. There were some adverse effects of the treatment during the study such as headache, temporary mild to moderate reduction of kidney function, upper respiratory tract infections, and inflammation of the nose and throat.

As a result of the new research, doctors may now be able to treat the skin irritation with greater success. The research showed patients who were administered larger dosages benefited greater from the treatment and now know there is an optimum dosage in order to reach the maximum level of treatment for the skin irritation while reducing side effects