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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July 12th 2010 | Patient Stories, Treatment | 8 Comments
LeAnn Rimes, perhaps the world’s most famous psoriasis patient (after Ben Franklin), may also be the most buff. The star was photographed recently in a bikini, causing one psoriasis patient to remark: “I need her psoriasis treatment, and I need her trainer.” In the interest of spreading hope, and NOT AT ALL
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July 12th 2010 | Children, Psoriasis Research, Treatment, psoriatic arthritis | 0 Comments
Treating psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis during pregnancy is often made more challenging by the limited data available for evaluating the potential impact of various treatments on the developing baby. Since 2005, the Autoimmune Diseases in Pregnancy Research Study has been looking for answers. The purpose of the research study is to find out more information
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July 9th 2010 | Psoriasis Research, Treatment, psoriatic arthritis | 0 Comments
As a Korean War-era drug that long ago became a generic, methotrexate has missed out on much of the modern clinical trial research that guides our thinking about more recent treatments. But this workhorse drug is still commonly prescribed for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (among other diseases), making continued research on it quite valuable.
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July 9th 2010 | Causes, Psoriasis Research, Treatment, Triggers/environment | 0 Comments
There has been some suggestion over the years that there might be some linkage between fungal nail infections (“onychmycosis”) and psoriasis of the nails. In fact, the two can look similar at times.
A recent study looked at this question and found, according to the lead study author:
“no difference in the incidence of onychmycosis and
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June 24th 2010 | Treatment | 0 Comments
Drug Store News reports that a drug used as part of PUVA treatments is returning to market after a shortage:
Valeant Pharmaceuticals has made a treatment for psoriasis available again, following a shortage, the drug maker said Wednesday.
Valeant said Oxsoralen-Ultra (methoxsalen) capsules would be available on a limited supply basis. The company said it experienced a
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June 5th 2010 | Impact of psoriasis, Patient Stories, Treatment | 13 Comments
CariDee English, winner of the 2006 season of of the TV show America’s Next Top Model, has courageously released photos of her recent severe psoriasis flare. (We’ve posted about this before but it’s worth taking another look.) English, who makes her living in front of cameras in an industry hyper-focused on image, has
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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.
