New Psoriasis Treatment Safe and Effective

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Psoriasis patients may soon get some much needed relief.

A new study shows an experimental treatment -- known as ISA247 -- is safe and effective for moderate to severe psoriasis.

One of the most effective treatments for psoriasis today is ciclosporin (Neoral). But the drug has toxic effects on the kidneys which limit its long-term use. Other newer treatments such as infliximab (Remicade) are safe and effective, but because they are expensive, inconvenient to take, and there’s little data on long-term safety and effectiveness, they are not for everyone.

Researchers in Canada looked at the effectiveness of ISA247 -- an experimental drug for treating autoimmune diseases like psoriasis and for preventing organ transplant rejection -- in 451 patients aged 18 to 65 with plaque psoriasis on at least 10 percent of their body. The patients were divided into four groups -- all got their treatment orally twice a day. The first group got ISA247 at 0.2 milligrams/kilogram body weight; the second at 0.3 milligrams/kilogram; the third at 0.4 milligrams/kilogram, and the fourth group got a placebo. Patients were followed up for a total of 24 weeks.

Results show the higher the dose of ISA247, the better it worked. The researchers conclude the link between the concentration of the drug and its effectiveness may make it easier to give patients the right dose compared to other psoriasis drugs.

SOURCE: The Lancet, 2008;371:1337-1342

Psoriasis Severity

by Rachel Broune

Psoriasis is a common skin disease that comes in different forms and varying levels of severity. It affects up to 3 percent of populations worldwide. Most researchers agree that it is an auto-immune disease. It is a common skin disease characterised by thickened patches of inflamed red skin, sometimes accompanied by painful joint swelling and stiffness.This skin condition most often appears on the scalp, elbows and knees. Psoriasis affects between 1-3% of the population. It varies in severity from mild to severe. Psoriasis can start at any age. Areas of the skin grow much faster than normal and form red, scaling patches.

Research shows that the signs and symptoms of psoriasis usually appear between 15 and 35 years of age. About 75% develop psoriasis before age 40. However, it is possible to develop psoriasis at any age. After age 40, a peak onset period occurs between 50 and 60 years of age.

Basis Facts about Psoriasis Psoriasis most often occurs on the elbows, knees, scalp, lower back, face, palms, and soles of the feet; diagnosis may be difficult because psoriasis often looks like other skin diseases. Doctors generally treat psoriasis in steps according to the severity of the disease or responsiveness to initial treatments. This is sometimes called the "1-2-3" approach.

Care if you are suffering from Psoriasis Avoid scratching or itching that can cause bleeding or excessive irritation. Soaking in bath water with oil added and using moisturizers may help. Bath soaks with coal tar or other agents that remove scales and reduce the plaque may also help. Cortisone creams can reduce the itching of mild psoriasis and are available without a prescription.Some people use an ultraviolet B unit at home under a doctor’s supervision.

A dermatologist may prescribe the unit and instruct the patient on home use, especially if it is difficult for the patient to get to the doctor’s office for phototherapy treatment.

Reports from people with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis are mixed: Some say acupuncture helps their disease while others report no effect. People who try acupuncture and improve say it takes many treatments. Acupuncture has few known side effects.

Homeopathic remedies are usually so diluted that they will not cause major side effects. A consultation with someone trained in this practice will help guide the treatment and ensure your safety.

Psoriasis Treatment by Diet People with psoriasis are individuals with different backgrounds, habits and medical histories, who respond to substances differently at different times. Moreover, people with psoriasis can have remissions that have nothing to do with changes in diets or treatments. These variables make it difficult to evaluate whether any specific dietary change is responsible for clearing or worsening psoriasis.

The addition or elimination of one substance from the diet can be the remedy for one person and the culprit for another. There is certainly no harm in exploring how diet impacts your psoriasis, as long as your overall health is not compromised.

Dietary supplementation with fish oil is said to have a variety of favorable effects on both the cardiovascular and immune systems in laboratory animals. Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease, so it follows that fish oil if it alters immune reactivity could improve psoriasis.


Rachel Broune writes articles for Psoriasis Home Remedies. He also writes for Home Remedy for Psoriasis and Psoriasis Treatment.