Enbrel shows strong results in pediatric psoriasis patients
Treating psoriasis in children is difficult, in part because most treatments have not been studied in pediatric patients, and also because parents fear exposing their children to treatments that might have long-term side effects that may not be known for decades. But under-treatment of children carries its own, very real risks, including children who do not feel good on a daily basis and children whose self-esteem takes a big hit from being teased and stared at by their peers (and even some grown-ups).
So it is good news to see that etancercept (brand name Enbrel) has now been studied in pediatric psoriasis patients in the same rigorous way prescription medications are tested in adults.
In the study, which lasted a total of 48 weeks, children between the ages of 4 and 17 with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis responded very well to Enbrel. After 12 weeks, 57 percent of Enbrel patients had achieved a 75 improvement in psoriasis symptoms, versus 11% on placebo. At week 36, two-thirds of pediatric patients had achieved a 75 percent improvement.
What about safety? There were a few adverse events that were considered serious, but they were resolved successfully. The vast majority of children seemed to handle the treatment without incident. Of course, even a 48-week study might not satisfy parents trying to make a treatment decision for a child with many decades of life ahead. Fortunately, etanercept has been around for a number of years, and the study authors point out that the safety profile of this treatment in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis patients remains good even after eight years. A hopeful sign.
Amgen & Wyeth report that they have filed with the FDA seeking approval to market Enbrel for pediatric patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. It would provide children with an important new option, and hopefully encourage other companies to test their treatments in children, giving pediatric dermatologists and these patients' families the ability to make more-informed treatment decisions.
We believe children have been the forgotten psoriasis patients for too long. Let's hope this study marks a new era that brings new attention to helping children with this painful disease.
MORE INFORMATION: You can find here our Psoriasis Fact Sheet for Schools, ready for printing and distribution to educators. And you can listen to a podcast interview with one of the nation's leading pediatric dermatologists (and lead author of the above study) in which we discuss treatment strategies for children with psoriasis.
So it is good news to see that etancercept (brand name Enbrel) has now been studied in pediatric psoriasis patients in the same rigorous way prescription medications are tested in adults.
In the study, which lasted a total of 48 weeks, children between the ages of 4 and 17 with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis responded very well to Enbrel. After 12 weeks, 57 percent of Enbrel patients had achieved a 75 improvement in psoriasis symptoms, versus 11% on placebo. At week 36, two-thirds of pediatric patients had achieved a 75 percent improvement.
What about safety? There were a few adverse events that were considered serious, but they were resolved successfully. The vast majority of children seemed to handle the treatment without incident. Of course, even a 48-week study might not satisfy parents trying to make a treatment decision for a child with many decades of life ahead. Fortunately, etanercept has been around for a number of years, and the study authors point out that the safety profile of this treatment in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis patients remains good even after eight years. A hopeful sign.
Amgen & Wyeth report that they have filed with the FDA seeking approval to market Enbrel for pediatric patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. It would provide children with an important new option, and hopefully encourage other companies to test their treatments in children, giving pediatric dermatologists and these patients' families the ability to make more-informed treatment decisions.
We believe children have been the forgotten psoriasis patients for too long. Let's hope this study marks a new era that brings new attention to helping children with this painful disease.
MORE INFORMATION: You can find here our Psoriasis Fact Sheet for Schools, ready for printing and distribution to educators. And you can listen to a podcast interview with one of the nation's leading pediatric dermatologists (and lead author of the above study) in which we discuss treatment strategies for children with psoriasis.
posted by Psoriasis Cure Now at 8:32 PM
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