Psoriasis

Using a novel autoantigen array, researchers have shown that the IgG4 anti-gliadin autoantibody might provide useful information for diagnosis and prognosis of psoriasis.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved IL-12/IL-23 inhibitor ustekinumab (Stelara, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson) for treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in pediatric patients 6-11 years.

The European Commission has approved secukinumab (Cosentyx, Novartis) for treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in pediatric patients 6<18 years in the European Union.

Cath O'Niell, chief scientific officer at SkinBioTherapeutics and professor of translational dermatology at the University of Manchester, discusses her recent research on developing probiotics to treat psoriasis and other inflammatory skin diseases.

Studies offer further insight into risks associated with biologic therapy. One study suggests it’s not necessary to stop biologic therapy preoperatively to limit post-operative infections. Another systematic review does not rule out melanoma risk.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Wynzora Cream (calcipotriene 0.005% and betamethasone dipropionate 0.064%, MC2 Therapeutics) for adult with plaque psoriasis. Wynzora is equipped with the MC2 Therapeutics’ patented PAD Technology and is currently under review in the EU.

Guselkumab becomes the first IL-23 inhibitor approved for treatment of psoriatic arthritis by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) following positive phase 3 results from two trials investigating the safety and efficacy of the drug.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Mylan and Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics’ adalimumab-fkjp as a biosimilar to AbbVie’s adalimumab for a variety of inflammatory disease including plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

A recently published review offers early insight into the risk and prognosis of COVID-19 in individuals receiving biologic therapy, providing recommendations for patient care and counseling.

Treatment with biologics may worsen infection risk, not prognosis, according to findings from a case-control study comprised of more than 10 million residents of the Lombardia region of Italy.

Case study finds no safety concerns, suggests possible benefit of apremilast for countering COVID-19 virus-induced inflammation.

Dermavant announces the enrollment completion for their long-term safety study investigating tapinarof in adults with plaque psoriasis as a part of the PSOARING 1 and PSOARING 2 phase 3 program.

AbbVie announces they have filed applications with the U.S. FDA and EMA for the approval of the JAK inhibitor upadacitinib for the treatment of adult active psoriatic arthritis.

Dermavant announces the publication of their phase 2b clinical trial investigating tapinarof cream for the treatment of adult plaque psoriasis in The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD).

In light of the ongoing pandemic, Vivian Shi, M.D., discusses potential risks dermatologists will want to keep in mind when evaluating patients currently taking immunomodulator or immunosuppressant drugs.

The latest set of guidelines for psoriasis being developed by the American Academy of Dermatology and the National Psoriasis Foundation will stress patient education and the need to align treatment strategies with patient lifestyles.

Amgen releases positive phase 3 results evaluating U.S. FDA-approved apremilast (Otezla) for the treatment of mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis in adults.

The interleukin-23 antagonist guselkumab demonstrated greater efficacy compared with adalimumab and secukinumab at week 48 in controlled clinical trials investigating treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

This week, we spoke with Mark Lebwohl, M.D., about his recent article featured in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology regarding biologic use in dermatology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dermavant announces the enrollment completion for their two phase 3 clinical trials investigating the topical therapeutic aryl hydrocarbon receptor (TAMA) tapinarof as a treatment for adult plaque psoriasis, with results from the study still expected in the second half of 2020 despite the current pandemic.

Brodalumab, guselkumab, ixekizumab and risankizumab stood out among 15 biologic and oral medications as having the highest short- and long-term response rates for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, according to a recent meta-analysis.

Current joint psoriasis guidelines from the American Academy of Dermatology and the National Psoriasis Foundation emphasize the need to help patients understand the relationship between psoriasis and comorbid conditions and the importance of seeking appropriate interventions as needed.

Eli Lilly announces the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of ixekizumab (Taltz) for treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in pediatric patients 6 and under 18 who are also eligible for phototherapy and systemic therapy.

A study showing differences in baseline characteristics between responders to anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy and insufficient responders may be helpful to dermatologists as they consider treatment for patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis, according to the investigators.

Switching patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis from one biologic to another is a multifactorial decision and may depend on safety, efficacy or dosing intervals. Ron Vender, M.D., offers insight into how to switch appropriately.

New joint AAD-NPF guidelines consider the quality-of-life impact of pediatric psoriasis as well as comorbidity risks in this patient population.

New topical treatments for psoriasis increasingly prove that vehicles matter, says an expert who spoke at the South Beach Symposium.

Sol-Gel announces updates to their drug pipeline and their goals for 2020, which include submitting multiple provisional patents and NDAs for the treatment of a variety of skin conditions.

A Danish study suggests that TNF inhibitors may not increase the risk of developing recurring or new primary cancers in patients with inflammatory diseases.

Ustekinumab’s short-term effect on aortic vascular inflammation points to possible role of IL-12, IL-23 in cardiovascular disease, but more research is needed.