Biotech Firms Target New Treatments for Psoriasis Sufferers

By Nadine M. Hasenecz

Centocor Ortho Biotech and Provectus Pharmaceuticals among companies offering new promise for those inflicted with psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that doesn’t discriminate. Not only can it affect a male or female of any age or nationality, but it can also present itself anywhere on the body. And it’s common, showing up in the offices of general health practitioners as well as in those of dermatologists.

In fact, psoriasis affects more than 3 percent of the U.S. population, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health (NIH).

As many as 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis, says the HIH. The National Psoriasis Foundation reports that approximately 125 million people worldwide, or 2 to 3 percent of the total population, have psoriasis. It also reports that total direct and indirect health care costs of psoriasis for patients are approximately $11.25 billion annually.

On occasion, psoriasis is inadvertently discovered when a doctor is checking a patient for another ailment, according to Kevin F. Rodowicz, D.O., of North Whitehall Family Practice, which is part of Bethlehem, Pa.-based St. Luke’s Physicians Group

Characterized by patches of red, raised, scaly skin that can itch and bleed, “it usually takes on what’s called a plaquelike appearance,” says Rodowicz.

Psoriasis is a genetic disease, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. While the manner in which it is inherited is not completely understood, researchers have linked it to at least eight chromosomes.

Individuals with autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis—in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body—are prone to psoriasis. When a patient has psoriasis, “we start thinking of the possibility of other autoimmune disorders,” Rodowicz says.

However, an individual can have psoriasis and not have another autoimmune disorder.

Stress can cause symptoms to flare up, or worsen. Therefore, Rodowicz says, patients can help manage symptoms by reducing stress, supporting the immune system, and obtaining adequate sleep.

Typically doctors prescribe a twice daily application of a topical corticosteroid cream to help control inflammation. “We usually start out with a moderate strength [cream] and work our way up to a high strength,” Rodowicz says. Other treatments include vitamin D analogues, calcipotriene/betamethasone propionate ointment, tazarotene, tacrolimus, pimecrolimus, salicylic acid, anthralin, and a pharmaceutical known as “coal tar.” However, new research and development from biotech drug makers has put psoriasis on the front burner with treatments that are safer, far more efficient, and easier for patients to use.

This September, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it approved STELARA (Ustekinumab) for the treatment of adult patients at least age 18 years with four-times-a-year maintenance dosing. The new drug targets patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy.

Currently in clinical trials is PH-10, a treatment developed by bio-tech firm Provectus Pharmaceuticals, based on PV-10, a compound of Rose Bengal (iodine). Rather than suppressing the immune system, PH-10, when exposed to sunlight, works by being absorbed into ill-affected cells.

“As a topical gel, PH-10 offers many potential advantages over available treatments for psoriasis,” says Dr. Craig Dees, Ph.D., CEO of Provectus. “In particular, because it is applied onto the skin, it works directly on the psoriasis, without the likelihood of producing adverse systemic side effects that characterize many other therapies. With all patients now enrolled, we look forward to the completion of this trial.”

While patients can sometimes be discouraged by the fact that psoriasis is a lifelong condition, says Rodowicz, “we do try to encourage them that it is a manageable disorder.”

Add the promise of new research and development by bio-med firms, and individuals with psoriasis can look to a smoother, clear-skinned future.

For more information on STELARA: visit http://www.stelarainfo.com/stelarainfo/index.html
For more information on Provectus and PH-10: visit http://www.pvct.com