Research finds promising new treatment for psoriasis
In one of the largest psoriasis studies reported to date, an international team of researchers led by Dalhousie Medical School's Dr. Richard Langley has verified the key protein that causes the inflammatory skin disease, and has identified a promising new treatment. The team's findings were published in this week's edition of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Psoriasis, a chronic dermatological condition, affects approximately one-to-two per cent of the world's population, and about one million Canadians. It causes painful, itchy lesions, and has been linked to a host of other health problems, including psoriatic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, depression, obesity, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and stroke.
Over the last decade, there have been extensive efforts by researchers to identify the cause of psoriasis; it was initially thought to be due to excessive cell turnover in the skin. But recent research has shown that the body's immune system releases small proteins called cytokines, sparking the development of psoriasis.
Dr. Richard Langley's research team confirmed that in psoriasis patients, their IL-17A cytokines are altered. The group performed the world's first phase III study in psoriasis using a novel antibody called secukinumab. The team's results showed that secukinumab blocks IL-17A, offering psoriasis patients rapid and sustained relief. For more than 80 per cent of study participants, the antibody, administered through injection, cleared up their skin lesions. The therapy has been submitted for approval in both Canada and the United States.
"This is great news for psoriasis patients. Secukinumab achieves levels of clearing not reported in the past—even in patients who failed other biologics and systemic therapies. It is a breakthrough in the treatment of psoriasis."—Dr. Mark Lebwohl, president, American Academy of Dermatology, and professor and chairman, Department of Dermatology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
"Identifying that secukinumab blocks IL-17A is one of the most—if not the most—impressive results that we've seen to date in psoriasis research. Until now, we've not been able to identify the key players in the cause of this common skin condition."—Dr. Richard Langley, professor and director of research, Division of Dermatology, Dalhousie Medical School/Capital Health
"Dermatologists thought psoriasis was caused by excessive cell production in the skin. As a result, we used drugs such as methotrexate to treat it. Methotrexate is a chemotherapy drug, and it has potentially harsh side effects. When used to treat psoriasis, it can cause liver and bone marrow damage. We now know that treatments should be targeting specific chemicals, such as IL-17A."—Dr. Richard Langley, professor and director of research, Division of Dermatology, Dalhousie Medical School/Capital Health
"Psoriasis is a systemic illness with widespread implications throughout the body. We're hoping our research will help find better treatments for other inflammatory diseases related to the immune system."—Dr. Richard Langley, professor and director of research, Division of Dermatology, Dalhousie Medical School/Capital Health
"This seminal study presents a landmark finding. Dr. Richard Langley's international team has shown, through a clinical trial, that the human monoclonal antibody, secukinumab, shows very promising results for the treatment of psoriasis. This work from Dalhousie Medical School has global impact for patient care and represents a milestone in treating inflammatory diseases."—Dr. Gerry Johnston, associate dean of research, Dalhousie Medical School
More information:
"Secukinumab in Plaque Psoriasis—Results of Two Phase 3 Trials." Richard G. Langley, M.D., Boni E. Elewski, M.D., Mark Lebwohl, M.D., Kristian Reich, M.D., Ph.D., Christopher E.M. Griffiths, M.D., Kim Papp, M.D., Ph.D., Lluís Puig, M.D., Ph.D., Hidemi Nakagawa, M.D., Ph.D., Lynda Spelman, M.B., B.S., Bárður Sigurgeirsson, M.D., Ph.D., Enrique Rivas, M.D., Tsen-Fang Tsai, M.D., Norman Wasel, M.D., Stephen Tyring, M.D., Ph.D., Thomas Salko, B.A., Isabelle Hampele, Ph.D., Marianne Notter, M.S., Alexander Karpov, Ph.D., Silvia Helou, M.D., Ph.D., and Charis Papavassilis, M.D., Ph.D. for the ERASURE and FIXTURE Study Groups, New England Journal of Medicine, July 9, 2014DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1314258
Provided by Dalhousie University
