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World Psoriasis Day
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- Ireland launches psoriasis awareness website
Published Wednesday 29 October 2008 - Psoriasis guidelines agreed by international panel
Published Tuesday 28 October 2008 - Diminished self-esteem as a symptom of psoriasis
Published Friday 24 October 2008 - Countries unite for World Psoriasis Day events
Published Thursday 23 October 2008
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Biologicals
Biologicals are large protein molecules. They would be digested in the stomach if they were taken orally, so they must be injected into the body.
Biologicals target a very specific part of the immune response, unlike systemic therapies that suppress the whole immune system. Because of this they should, in theory, have fewer side-effects than systemic drugs; however, there has not been enough long-term research to prove this.
There are currently four biologicals in development for the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis:
- efalizumab
- alefacept
- etanercept
- infliximab
Efalizumab is the first monoclonal antibody to be approved for the treatment of psoriasis. All biologicals have shown long-term control, the times vary between 24 weeks to 3 years.
Photos: Before and after treatment with Efalizumab.
Sad Patient – 9/2005 Happy Patient – 7/2006
46 year old woman with longstanding history of moderate – severe plaque psoriasis with intermittent flares of hand-foot disease. Past treatments include Alefacept, oral Tazarotene, cyclosporine and Raptiva (in trial in 2003 and also 2005). Raptiva has been the most successful in controlling all of his psoriasis. Craig L. Leonardi, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA
The more you know about the therapies available and about what to expect, the better you will be able to control your psoriasis.