Category Archives: Transhuman News

By Cyndi Root

Amgen and AstraZeneca report that a Phase 3 trial of brodalumab has met its primary endpoint and all secondary endpoints in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The two companies announced the results in a press release, stating that the AMAGINE-3 study compared brodalumab to Stelara (ustekinumab) and placebo. Amgen and AstraZeneca are conducting studies of five of Amgens monoclonal antibodies, including brodalumab, under a collaboration agreement initiated in April 2012.

Sean E. Harper, M.D., executive VP of Research and Development at Amgen, said, These results are of particular importance as they are the first to demonstrate superiority to Stelara in achieving total skin clearance, and the second positive pivotal Phase 3 study evaluating brodalumab in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis."

Brodalumab

Brodalumab (AMG 827) is a human monoclonal antibody that dampens inflammatory signals by blocking IL-17 ligand binding to the receptor. Influencing the IL-17 pathway and stopping IL-17 ligand binding reduces inflammatory signals, thereby reducing psoriasis. Amgen is also investigating brodalumab for psoriatic arthritis in Phase 3 trials and in Phase 2 asthma trials.

Brodalumab Study

The AMAGINE-3 study compared two doses of brodalumab to Stelara and a placebo in 1,800 patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The study showed that brodalumab was superior to Stelara in achieving total clearance of skin disease, as measured by the Psoriasis Area Severity Index, thereby meeting the trials primary endpoint. Compared to the placebo, brodalumab patients achieved at least a 75 percent improvement from baseline in disease severity at week 12 and clear or almost clear skin. The 210 mg brodalumab group fared better than the 140 mg group, as 36.7 percent achieved skin clearance compared to 27 percent. Both the 210 and 140 mg brodalumab doses proved superior to Stelara patients, as only 18.5 percent achieved skin clearance.

Dr. Harper said, "Despite a variety of treatment options available for psoriasis, many patients still do not meet skin clearance goals. Amgen and AstraZeneca state that they will share results later in the year on the AMAGINE-2 trial evaluating brodalumab versus Stelara.

Stelara

Stelara is a Johnson & Johnson Drug, manufactured by J & Js subsidiary Centocor Ortho Biotech of Horsham, PA. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Stelara (ustekinumab) in 2009 for moderate to severe psoriasis. Stelara is a monoclonal antibody, a biological treatment that mimics the bodys antibodies and blocks two proteins that cause inflammation.

Read the original post:
Amgen, AstraZeneca Report Phase 3 Brodalumab Meets Endpoints In Psoriasis

Roslyn Heights, NY (PRWEB) November 19, 2014

A shocking number of Americans have psoriasis and eczema39 million adults and childrenwhich is more than four times the population of New York City, the largest city in the US. According to dermatology specialists Dr. Joshua Fox and Dr. Robert Levine with Advanced Dermatology, PC, the seasonal change to cold, dry air creates difficulties for people dealing with these chronic skin disorders.

It is important to manage symptoms, says Dr. Fox, who has served on the board of the National Psoriasis Foundation. Psoriasis and eczema can be painful. They can make everyday actions uncomfortable for adults and children, men and women, and they carry a stigma that can lead to a loss of self-esteem, depression, and other health complications.

Symptoms Psoriasis appears on the skin as red or white, scaly patches that often itch and bleed. The patches can also look scaly or silvery in color. Nails can become yellow, ridged and separate from the nail bed. Up to 30 percent of people with the disease develop psoriatic arthritis, and recent studies indicate that patients with moderate to severe disease are also at increased risk for other associated health conditions, including heart disease, heart attack, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, depression and hypertension.

Eczema, a hypersensitivity disease, inflames the skin, causing pain, itching, dryness, swelling, cracking, weeping and scaling. Eczema lesions can bubble, ooze, and crust over if scratched. Skin infections can occur if bacteria invade the skin lesions.

Diagnosis Once patients understand their psoriasis or eczema is not contagious, they seem to be relieved, says Dr. Fox. They are comforted to know there is help for their symptoms.

Psoraisis is an autoimmune disease apparently cause by an overactive immune system that overproduces skin cells. Eczema, on the other hand, is caused by a deficient immune system in which an imbalance of skin proteins creates skin sensitivities. This is a significant distinction because it informs treatment, explains Dr. Fox. A dermatologist will diagnose the condition and provide the most effective care for individual patients.

Psoriasis treatments:

Eczema treatments:

Dr. Foxs and Dr. Levines tips for managing psoriasis and eczema throughout the winter

View original post here:
10 Tips to Manage Psoriasis and Eczema this Winter