August 2nd 2010 | Biologics, Psoriasis Research, Treatment | 0 Comments
A study of Remicade (infliximab) in patients who had already failed to respond adequately to a similar biologic showed that Remicade was still often successful in improving psoriasis symptoms. Remicade is a biologic treatment given by periodic IV infusions that is one in the class of TNF-alpha inhibitors that have transformed treatment for moderate
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July 16th 2010 | Biologics, Psoriasis Research, Treatment | 1 Comment
Briakinumab, an experimental psoriasis treatment from Abbott (the folks who bring us Humira [adalimumab]), continues to rack up favorable results in clinical trials. Most recently, it beat the market-leading biologic treatment Enbrel [etanercept] and of course a placebo (i.e., a fake treatment) in a 12-week test. This follows its amazing Phase Two trial
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May 20th 2010 | Biologics, Mental health, Treatment | 3 Comments
Sometimes, scientific data is presented that to a patient is patently obvious. But bringing scientific rigor to seemingly obvious things can still be useful.
New analyses of clinical trials of Enbrel (etanercept) for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and Stelara (ustekinumab) for psoriasis found that both biologics reduced patients’ symptoms of anxiety and depression, and improved their
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September 25th 2009 | Biologics, Treatment | 0 Comments
Stelara (ustekinumab) was just approved by the US FDA for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Dosing will be just four times per year after an initial two doses in the first month. Read more here. The treatment will be administered by a health care provider (nurse, doctor, etc.), not by the patient at home.
June 30th 2009 | Biologics, Psoriasis Research, Public policy issues | 0 Comments
“Psoriasis Cure Now,” a nonprofit patient advocacy group, today applauded the Institute of Medicine (IOM) for including psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis among its Top 100 health topics meriting priority “comparative effectiveness” research, but the organization expressed concern that treatment rationing could result from the research.
The IOM included the use of biologics for treating inflammatory diseases
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May 26th 2009 | Biologics, Psoriasis Research | 0 Comments
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended its time-frame for review of the promising new biologic Stelara (ustekinumab) for moderate to severe psoriasis by 90 days. That would mean we can expect a decision about Stelara by the fall of 2009. Stelara has already been approved for use in Canada.
May 26th 2009 | Biologics, Treatment, psoriatic arthritis | 0 Comments
On April 24, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Simponi (golimumab) for the treatment of three forms of arthritis, including active psoriatic arthritis. Described in media reports as a “potential blockbuster drug,” Simponi is administered once monthly via injection under the skin. As WebMD put it: “Simponi is in a
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April 8th 2009 | Biologics, Immune system | 1 Comment
Genentech has decided to remove Raptiva (efalizumab) from the US market. Raptiva will become unavailable in June, 2009.
All psoriasis patients currently on Raptiva should see their physician at once and not stop taking Raptiva without consulting their physician, as significant worsening of psoriasis can occasionally occur with an abrupt withdrawal of the drug.
Raptiva was
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February 24th 2009 | Biologics, Immune system | 0 Comments
Raptiva is being pulled from the US market as of June 2009 due to safety issues. **See your physician before stopping Raptiva treatment.** More info at Raptiva.com.
December 19th 2008 | Biologics, Treatment | 0 Comments
Statement issued today from Centocor about Stelara (ustekinumab):
Centocor, Inc., announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Complete Response letter for its Biologics License Application (BLA) for ustekinumab. …
The Complete Response letter requests additional information, including a proposal by Centocor for a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). … The ustekinumab
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