Category Archives: Transhuman News

This news release is available in German.

A three-character code brings relief to patients with psoriasis and sheds light on complex immunoregulation processes: IL-4, an abbreviation for the endogenous signaling molecule Interleukin 4. The substance's ability to inhibit inflammation is well known, but its mechanism of action was not fully understood. Scientists from the Technische Universitt Mnchen (TUM) and the University of Tbingen have now shown in an animal model and in a study on patients exactly how IL-4 helps against psoriasis at the molecular level and the important role it plays in our immune system.

Inflammation is a defense strategy of the body against invaders. Increased amounts of blood and fluid flow into the infected areas, and the release of signaling molecules summon immune cells to the site of infection to effectively neutralize the pathogens. However, poorly coordinated or misdirected immune reactions can trigger inflammation even in the absence of external agents, thus causing undue tissue damage. This is the case in psoriasis and other autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The body's own signaling molecule as a therapy candidate

"Together with colleagues from Tbingen, we were able to show in earlier studies that the signaling molecule IL-4 is a promising candidate for the treatment of psoriasis," explains Prof. Tilo Biedermann, who holds the chair for Dermatology and Allergology and is Director of the Clinic and Polyclinic for Dermatology and Allergology. "However, before IL-4 can be used as a standardized medication, we have to understand the exact mechanism of action - and we've now succeeded in doing just that."

The scientists followed a translational approach in their study - the laboratory findings were applied to patients without delay. They first used human and mouse cells to unravel the molecular effects of IL-4 on inflammation. To this effect, the scientists discovered that IL-4 inhibits specific immune cells in a natural way: it prevents the cells from synthesizing and releasing two signaling molecules, known as IL-23 and IL-17.

"The discovery is very interesting in that IL-23 activates special T-cells in the body, thus triggering inflammation. Evidently IL-4 is able to effectively block this pathway," says Biedermann. In subsequent experiments with mice, the scientists also found that administration of IL-4 specifically inhibits inflammation of the skin via this mechanism.

IL-4 reduces psoriasis in patients

The scientists also checked the findings from the animal model in a patient study. Twenty-two patients with psoriasis received subcutaneous injections of IL-4 over a period of six weeks. Tilo Biedermann and his colleagues then examined samples from the patients' affected skin areas before and after the treatment.

The results confirmed the previous experiments: Before treatment with IL-4, the study participants had high levels of IL-23 and IL-17 in their inflamed and itchy skin. After successful treatment, the two substances were barely detectable. The result was that inflammation and psoriatic skin changes had disappeared.

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Marshaling the body's own weapons against psoriasis

PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 26, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- People with psoriasis and their health care providers will have the opportunity to participate in research that aims to improve treatments and disease outcomes when the first independent U.S. psoriasis registry begins recruiting patients in 2015.

The registry, a joint collaboration with the National Psoriasis Foundation and Corrona, LLC, will initially track the drug safety reporting for secukinumab, a new biologic medication by Novartis Pharmaceuticals for moderate-to-severe psoriasis. The Corrona Psoriasis Registry will enroll at least 3,000 people with psoriasis on secukinumab and follow their treatment for at least eight years. Novartis is the first subscriber to the registry and did incur a subscriber fee.

To become an investigator in the registry or learn more about it, visit http://www.psoriasis.org/corrona-registry.

By collecting and analyzing data from thousands of people with psoriasis over many years, the registry will help clinicians, researchers and the pharmaceutical industry compare the effectiveness and safety of different psoriasis treatments. Data will be gathered through comprehensive questionnaires completed by patients and their dermatologists during appointments.

"Psoriasis therapies have improved greatly over the years, yet there still remains an important need for us to understand more about their long-term safety and the course of disease over a patient's lifetime," said Dr. BruceStrober, vice chair of UConn Health's department of dermatology and scientific director for the registry. "This registry will help determine which treatments are safest and most effective for psoriasis in the long term."

In addition to studying treatment safety and effectiveness, the registry will help identify possible causes of psoriasis, examine the relationship between psoriasis and other health conditions, and study the impact of the disease on quality of life, among other outcomes.

"Post approval studies such as the Corrona Psoriasis Registry that collect standardized data on newly approved therapies and comparator drugs are needed to provide patients and clinicians, as well as regulators and payors, with real world evidence on long-term comparative effectiveness and safety," said Dr. Jeff Greenberg, chief scientific officer with Corrona and clinical associate professor of medicine at NYU School of Medicine.

Psoriasisa painful, chronic, genetic disease that causes the skin to crack, itch and bleedis the most common autoimmune disease in the country, affecting up to 7.5 million Americans. People with psoriasis are at increased risk for heart disease, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, obesity and depression. Up to 30 percent of psoriasis patients develop psoriatic arthritis, an inflammatory joint and tendon disease.

Learn more about the psoriasis registry and how you can participate at http://www.psoriasis.org/corrona-registry.

About the National Psoriasis FoundationNational Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) is the world's largest nonprofit serving those with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Our priority is to provide the services people need to take control of their condition, while increasing research to find a cure. In addition to serving more than 2.1 million people annually through our education and advocacy initiatives, NPF has funded more than $10 million in psoriatic disease research grants and fellowships. Learn more at http://www.psoriasis.org or call 800.723.9166. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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First independent U.S. psoriasis registry will track drug safety and effectiveness