Investigational Treatment for Psoriasis
Experimental Drug for Psoriasis Shows Promise
November 29, 2010
Researchers have announced that a new investigational drug treatment for psoriasis, briakinumab, has been shown to be safe and effective in a series of phase III clinical trials, according to a recent statement from the manufacturer, Abbott Laboratories.
In one 52-week study involving 317 people with psoriasis, 82% of the participants taking briakinumab had at least a 75% or greater improvement in the severity of their psoriasis symptoms after 24 weeks they reported; 66% of them maintained that degree of improvement after a full year.
Three of the clinical trials compared the effects of briakinumab to psoriasis drugs like Enbrel® (etanercept) and methotrexate; in each case, superior results were achieved with briakinumab.
"We are pleased to see the strong effect of briakinumab for psoriasis," said Bruce Bebo, Ph.D., of the National Psoriasis Foundation in a news release. "Because the response to psoriasis treatments varies for individuals, it's important to have as many treatments options as possible, and briakinumab looks like it could be an important addition to the repertoire of psoriasis treatments."
Briakinumab is a biologic medication that targets proteins linked to inflammation. The most common side effects associated with briakinumab were infection, stuffy nose, headache, joint pain, high blood pressure and back pain.
Sources: Abbott Laboratories news release; and National Psoriasis Foundation news release
Physician-developed and -monitored.
Original Date of Publication: 29 Nov 2010
Reviewed by: the Editorial Staff at Healthcommunities.com
Last Reviewed: 29 Nov 2010
Last Modified:06 Dec 2010
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