Category Archives: Transhuman News

We recently spoke to Alex to get a first hand account of living with psoriasis here in the UK

My psoriasis flares up about once a month, which leaves me looking like I have third-degree burns on my face, legs, and stomach. Most of my friends dont understand it, and Im not really sure my doctor does either. Through research, and trial and error, I have learned how to manage my psoriasis, sort of. I just wish there were a magic cream out there that would make it go away for good.

We recently spoke with Alex to get a first-hand account of what its like for someone living with psoriasis in the UK, and to understand how we, as healthcare communicators, can potentially help.

Psoriasis has a profound impact on someones physical and psychological wellbeing. Flare-ups can damage confidence, limit social activity, and reduce intimacy. However, these impacts are often downplayed by those living with it.

When my psoriasis flares up I feel very self-conscious. Ive got more confident with age, but a few years ago I wouldnt wear shorts if I was having a flare-up because of how bad it looks. I would rather have an eczema flare-up than a psoriasis one. Whilst eczema hurts a lot more, it doesnt look nearly as bad, and more often than not, I can fix it.

Topical treatments are the first-line option for people living with psoriasis in the UK. The volume of available options makes it easy for people to be prescribed cream after cream, despite the fact they are having little effect on their psoriasis. Topical treatments are also expensive.

Psoriasis is a chronic condition, with little awareness amongst HCPs and the public. This can make it difficult, and often frustrating, for people living with psoriasis to continually explain their condition to others.

When I call my GP to discuss a flare up, I can hear them scrolling through all of the creams Ive had in the past. Yet they just give me another one. Ive got a drawer full of lotions and potions that do very little to make my skin better.

Alexs lotions and potions

Alexs experience is not uncommon, the majority of people find themselves being cycled through topical treatments by their GP, with little to no effect on their condition. Despite the fact that there are a number of systemic treatments now available, one studied showed that fewer than 7,000 people living with psoriasis (out of a possible 1.8 million[i]) received a biologic therapy in the UK in 2012.[ii]

Systemic treatments are typically reserved for the most severe cases. However, people with moderate/severe psoriasis can gain access to more effective treatments, if the doctor determines the impact on their life to be significant enough.

This is commonly determined by two indices, developed by theBritish Association of Dermatologists:

These indices have been around for a while, yet Alex (and many others), have little to no knowledge of their existence, or how they are used. In fact, a study revealed that only 32% of people living with psoriasis reported having their disease severity measured.[i]

Helping people understand how these tools are used by doctors, and giving them the skills to gather evidence about their condition between appointments, is an important step towards improving long-term outcomes.

There is a clear gap in understanding on both sides of the psoriasis care pathway. GPs receive little dermatology training, making it difficult for them to truly understand the impact that the condition is having on a patients life.

For those living with it, navigating a complex treatment pathway, with limited access to specialist dermatologists[ii] and whilst managing flare-ups, are significant challenges to achieving long-term goals.

Clear skin is somewhat of a perceived fantasy for most people living with psoriasis. They may have seen one or two people achieve it, but not fully understand the route taken to get there. The lack of information about how treatment decisions are made and the journey to clear skin makes it difficult for people to forge their own path there.

Having clear skin would make me confident, content, and comfortable. However, without some sort of magic cream, I dont see that it is possible. There isnt enough evidence out there.

As healthcare communicators, we have a role to play in working with the patient community to inspire the belief that achieving clear skin is possible and co-creating tools and resources to help them achieve it.

By sharing best practices, success stories, and real-life examples of others achieving clear skin, we can support the belief that clear skin is possible. We can also help to activate people living with psoriasis by focusing on three core pillars:

Activating people living with psoriasis to play a role in their treatment decisions involves three key steps:

Activating patients to take control of their health is something we at Aurora have done for our clients many times over the years. Get in touch with one of the team to find out more: piteam@auroracomms.com

[i] Psoraisis Patients Association about psoriasis. Psoriasis Patients Association 2017. Available at:https://www.psoriasis-association.org.uk/about-psoriasis Last accessed: February 2021. Last reviewed: March 2019

[ii] NICE Psoriasis Quality Standards Indicator. National Institute of Health and Care Excellence 2012. Available at:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs40/documents/psoriasis-briefing-paper2

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Living with psoriasis: a patient perspective - PMLiVE

NEW YORK, March 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOTH), abiopharmaceutical company, is pleased to announceit has completed recruitment of Cohort 1 for its upcoming first in human clinical trial of the proprietary BioLexa platform to treat atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema.

"We believe there continues to be an unmet need for improved topical therapy for those patients suffering from mild to moderate eczema," stated Robb Knie, CEO of Hoth Therapeutics, "We are pleased with how quickly Cohort 1 of Part A of our clinical trial has reached full recruitment and we are hopeful to announce preliminary results from this trial later in the year. We are continuing our mission to bring patient focused therapies to the clinic and improve quality of life across multiple indications."

About Hoth Therapeutics, Inc.

Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing new generation therapies for unmet medical needs. Hoth's pipeline development is focused to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from indications including atopic dermatitis, skin toxicities associated with cancer therapy, chronic wounds, psoriasis, asthma, acne, and pneumonia. Hoth has also entered into two different agreements to further the development of two therapeutic prospects to prevent or treat COVID-19. To learn more, please visitwww.hoththerapeutics.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release includes forward-looking statements based upon Hoth's current expectations which may constitute forward-looking statements for the purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws, and are subject to substantial risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These statements concern Hoth's business strategies; the timing of regulatory submissions; the ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of existing product candidates and any other product candidates we may develop, and the labeling under any approval we may obtain; the timing and costs of clinical trials, the timing and costs of other expenses; market acceptance of our products; the ultimate impact of the current Coronavirus pandemic, or any other health epidemic, on our business, our clinical trials, our research programs, healthcare systems or the global economy as a whole; our intellectual property; our reliance on third party organizations; our competitive position; our industry environment; our anticipated financial and operating results, including anticipated sources of revenues; our assumptions regarding the size of the available market, benefits of our products, product pricing, timing of product launches; management's expectation with respect to future acquisitions; statements regarding our goals, intentions, plans and expectations, including the introduction of new products and markets; and our cash needs and financing plans. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. You should not place reliance on these forward-looking statements, which include words such as "could," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "expect," "may," "continue," "predict," "potential," "project" or similar terms, variations of such terms or the negative of those terms. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company cannot guarantee such outcomes. Hoth may not realize its expectations, and its beliefs may not prove correct. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including, without limitation, market conditions and the factors described in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Hoth's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Hoth's other filings made with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All such statements speak only as of the date made. Consequently, forward-looking statements should be regarded solely as Hoth's current plans, estimates, and beliefs. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Hoth cannot guarantee future results, events, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Hoth does not undertake and specifically declines any obligation to update, republish, or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrences of unanticipated events, except as may be required by applicable law.

Investor Contact:LR Advisors LLCEmail:investorrelations@hoththerapeutics.comwww.hoththerapeutics.comPhone: (678) 570-6791

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SOURCE Hoth Therapeutics, Inc.

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Hoth Therapeutics Completes Site Recruitment for Cohort 1 of First in Human Clinical Trial of BioLexa for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis -...

Cold, dry weather can present many problems to people. It can lead to garden struggles, pipe malfunctions, and all-around general discomfort.

Colder, dryer weather can also result in skin and lips becoming very dry and irritated.

The cause of this is not directly from the cold weather, but from the adverse effects cold weather brings.

Heather Winn, OSU Extension family and consumer science educator, said heating up the home is one of the causes of dry skin.

"It's not that our skin behaves differently when it is cold; it's the added lower humidity and-or the effects of heating our homes that causes our skin to be dryer in the wintertime," said Winn. "Those things, in addition to the regular conditions like bathing, soap, etc., cause the water content of our skin to be lower, with the result being dry, itchy skin."

This can also worsen the effects of already existing skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, better known as eczema. One of Winn's children has this condition, so she is well-versed on methods to care for dry skin.

"My youngest son has eczema, which is exacerbated during the winter months," said Winn. "We have had a lot of experience in dealing with these issues since he was a baby. If someone has super-dry skin or eczema, a wet wrap is a great way to relieve itchy dry skin."

Along with this, there are several other efficient ways to combat the itchiness and discomfort of dry skin.

"Staying hydrated is very important during cold or dry weather," said Winn.

"Take showers or baths lukewarm instead of hot. When you get out of the shower or bath, immediately put on lotion to seal in moisture from bathing."

Other ways to help dry skin include adding humidifiers to the home, continuing to wear sunscreen throughout the day, and wearing gloves when outside or in a closed area.

More here:
5Ws+1H: How It's Done: Best way to combat dry skin in the cold - Tahlequah Daily Press

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Richard Gallo, MD, PhDIma Gigli Distinguished Professor of DermatologyChair of the Department of DermatologyUC San Diego School of Medicine

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Would you briefly explain what is meant by atopic dermatitis/eczema? How common is it and what are the symptoms.

Response: Atopic Dermatitis is a common inflammatory disease of the skin that appears in up to 20% of children and 3% of the adult population. People suffering from atopic dermatitis have red, itchy skin. In many cases this rash will disrupt sleeping and severely impact quality of life. Also, people with atopic dermatitis are more susceptible to infections of the skin and are more likely to have other allergies and asthma.

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?

Response: This paper shows how a bacteria that is found on healthy human skin can be used safely to treat people with atopic dermatitis. A total of 54 adults were treated in a double-blind, placebo controlled human trial. The technique used is a transformational approach to treating disease since we specifically chose the bacteria for use based on specific bacterial genes that were missing from the microbiome of atopic patients. The exciting part of the work is that this is the first time the approach of targeted bacteriotherapy has been used for a skin disease, and the trial shows it is safe and helped most of the patients who received it.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: The paper adds to the growing body of evidence that shows how dependent we are on some bacteria for our health. Discovering beneficial bacteria has taken many years since most bacteria are not helpful or even dangerous. This is a breakthrough study since it confirms which bacterial genes are needed to benefit patients with atopic dermatitis.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?

Response: With this as a proof of principle we can now expand the size of the study to include more patients and to apply this approach to more diseases.We have also expanded our screening platform to look at other skin diseases and are excited to advance these programs into the clinic.

Any disclosures?

The technology described in the study has been licenced by MatriSys Bioscience, a San Diego based biotechnology company. Dr. Gallo is cofounder and a member of the MatriSys scientific advisory board.

Citation:

Teruaki Nakatsuji, Tissa R. Hata, Yun Tong, Joyce Y. Cheng, Faiza Shafiq, Anna M. Butcher, Secilia S. Salem, Samantha L. Brinton, Amanda K. Rudman Spergel, Keli Johnson, Brett Jepson, Agustin Calatroni, Gloria David, Marco Ramirez-Gama, Patricia Taylor, Donald Y. M. Leung, Richard L. Gallo.Development of a human skin commensal microbe for bacteriotherapy of atopic dermatitis and use in a phase 1 randomized clinical trial.Nature Medicine, 2021; DOI:10.1038/s41591-021-01256-2

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Last Modified: Feb 24, 2021 @ 11:46 pm

The information on MedicalResearch.com is provided for educational purposes only, and is in no way intended to diagnose, cure, endorse or treat any medical or other condition. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health and ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. In addition to all other limitations and disclaimers in this agreement, service provider and its third party providers disclaim any liability or loss in connection with the content provided on this website.

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Bacteria From Healthy Human Skin Can Be Used to Treat Atopic Dermatitis - Eczema - MedicalResearch.com

If youve been to a spa, beauty counter, or scrolled through Instagram lately, youve probably seen the unsettling and Michael Myers la Halloween-esque LED face masks. The devices are kinda creepy, definitely futuristic, and promise all sorts of skin miracles like the reversal of everything from wrinkles, redness, and signs of aging to acne, scarring, and dark spots, according to Harvard Womens Health Watch. That all sounds great, but the how and why behind all these benefits is far from obvious when looking at the colorful face mask in action. Good thing L'OFFICIEL is here to demystify the process and give so you you all the facts beforeyou consider getting robo-masked up.

LED light therapy, otherwise known as Dermalux LED Phototherapy, is a non-invasive skin rejuvenation treatment. Using a narrow band ofnon-thermal LED light energy, the procedure stimulates your bodys natural cell production for an accelerated repair of the skins surface.By speeding up skins regenerative process, evidence of sun damage, acne, inflammation, or even more serious conditions like eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, and rosacea is reduced. For people with wounds or other kinds of scarring, the regrowth of skin cells as promoted by LED Phototherapy can also be curative.

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Everything You Need to Know About LED Light Therapy - LED Light Face Mask Skin Care Phototherapy - L'Officiel

Hey Ms. Green,

What is the most eco-friendly paint for inside my home and work space, including the walls and furniture? Also, what's the greenest way to recycle paint?

Marivic in Madison, New Jersey

Here's a primer: That new-paint smell comes from ingredients that can be toxic to your health. A 2010 study found that exposure to elevated levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in paintincluding propylene glycol, glycol ethers, formaldehyde, and benzeneincreases the likelihood of developing asthma and eczema.

Look for safer options with these third-party certifications, which indicate paints with less VOC content: Green Wise Gold, Master Painters Institute X-Green, and Cradle to Cradle. You can also use Green Sealcertified paints, though Green Seal doesn't factor in VOC emissions like the other eco-labels do.

I used BioShield Solvent-Free Wall Paint along with the BioShield trim enamel and wall glaze. It's been a few years, but my walls still look fresh. The paint is made with water, chalk, asbestos-free talc, and other less-toxic ingredients. It arrives looking like chalk; all you have to do is add water. BioShield sells other home-improvement products: clay paint, interior and exterior wood stains and finishes, and even beehive paint.

Paint can be flammable. Don't leave it lying around. And don't put it in the trash; that's illegal in many states. The greenest way to recycle your paint is through an extended producer responsibility programin which companies pay for the recycling of their products. You can drop off paint at one of the sites listed on paintcare.org.

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What's the Greenest Paint for My Home? - Sierra Magazine

An experimental treatment helped asthmatics with cat allergies to spend several hours exposed to cat allergens without wheezing or coughing, a proof-of-concept study finds.

Scientists with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, the makers of the asthma and eczema biologic drug Dupixent (dupilumab), have been exploring the use of monoclonal antibodies to reduce asthma and allergy symptoms in people with cat allergies.

The treatment uses two lab-created antibodies to Fel d1, the protein found in a cats skin and saliva thats to blame for wheezing, coughing or shortness of breath in those with asthma. The antibodies, which are given as two injections just under the skin, bind to Fel d1. The concept is that this blocks IgE antibodies circulating in the blood from binding to the cat allergy protein, preventing the allergic reaction.

In the Phase 2 trial, 56 people with cat allergy and mild asthma were given the monoclonal antibodies or a placebo. After eight days, they were exposed to cat allergens in an environmental exposure unit, a room used for controlled experiments.

Lung function tests showed the placebo group had asthma symptoms after an average of 51 minutes of exposure to cat allergen. Those in the treatment group lasted an average of more than four hours in the chamber without wheezing or shortness of breath. Four hours was the maximum time they were allowed to stay in the chamber.

Although some people in the treatment arm experienced asthma symptoms during the four-hour timeframe, over 50 percent of the active therapy arm had no reaction detected in the chamber, says Dr. Jennifer Maloney, an allergist and Regeneron executive director. Many were able to sit in there and tolerate the allergen being pumped in.

The research was presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) virtual annual meeting in late February.

Participants went back into the environmental exposure chamber again at one, two and three months after the injections. At three months, participants went longer still before having asthma symptoms when exposed to cat allergens. At four months, those who received the therapy had on average, smaller reactions on skin testing than the placebo group.

Regeneron is planning a large Phase 3 clinical trial to test the therapy in a real-world setting, Maloney says. No date has been set yet.

Fel d1 is a difficult allergen to avoid, as it clings to surfaces like bedding, carpets and clothes. Studies have shown the allergen is found in classrooms, movie theaters and other public places where there are no cats.

We know cat allergies are so pervasive. Its challenging if the cat is in the home or the home of a significant other, Maloney says. The cat is part of the family. Its easy enough for the allergist to tell patients to remove the cat from the home. As an allergist, Ive given that advice, but its not always taken kindly by families.

Maloney knows this well. As a child, she had both a cat allergy, and cats. We never even considered getting rid of the cat.

Related Reading:Nothing to Sneeze At: New Strategies to Control Cat AllergyAsk the Expert: Can Cat Allergy Develop Later in Life?Life-Changing Biologic Now Approved for Teens with Severe Eczema

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Cat Therapy Aims to Block Wheezing and Asthma Misery - Allergic Living