Category Archives: Psoriasis

For treatment of psoriasis, it is always necessary to analyze whether the basic needs of the body are met, which include detoxification, nutrition, and oxygenation. Read on to know more

Written by Longjam Dineshwori | Updated : October 30, 2021 3:13 PM IST

Psoriasis is the most common skin disease, affecting more than 2.6 crore people in India, as per industry sources. Due to its physical manifestations, the condition often leads to social discrimination. The typical psoriasis scales on the skin, often itchy, can make everyday life very difficult for patients and lead to social isolation. Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition which is considered incurable. The main cause is inflammation, a natural reaction of the body to an external attacks such as bacteria, viruses, fungi. In psoriasis, the levels of auxiliary T lymphocytes increase significantly, contributing to the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and the increased proliferation of skin cells.

While typical treatment of psoriasis is limited to external preparations, immunosuppressive treatment is used in more serious cases. In complementary medicine, it is assumed that if the immune system is ill, it is worth considering the cause of this state of affairs and addressing it. For treatment of psoriasis, it is always necessary to analyze whether the basic needs of the body are met, which include detoxification, nutrition, and oxygenation.

On the occasion of World Psoriasis Day Friday (October 29th), Dr. Mili Shah, President, Ozone Forum of India & Dr. Renu Mathani, DM, FNMN, (USA) Founder of Autoimmunity Treatment Centre at Pune, highlighted the impact of oxygenation & vitamin D on this condition.

Dr. Mahtani said, "Megadose vitamin D therapy is the need of the hour which works as a defense against autoimmunity."

Vitamin D does more than regulation of calcium and bone health. Deficiency of vitamin D can drastically impact a person's physical and mental wellbeing. Vitamin D deficiency in the body has been linked to various health problems, including cognitive decline, depression, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and cancer.

Vitamin D in its active form is actually a master hormone that controls at least 200 genes in our cells. Following the discovery of vitamin D receptors throughout the body, its role in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases is gaining momentum. It is being positioned as the critical aspect in immune system functioning and gut homeostasis too. Vitamin D empowers the immune system against viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms. Vitamin D is not an optional supplement. It is a non-negotiable cellular necessity, Dr. Mathani noted.

According to Dr. Shah, Ozone therapy is a wonderful therapy for detoxification which enhances and modulates your immunity and circulation. Treatment results show that ozone therapy is effective in treating psoriasis. Ozone therapy works as a regulation of the overactive response of the immune system. It reduces the level of oxidative stress. Exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by acting on the NF-KB nuclear receptor.

The body is unable to function efficiently if the amount of toxins it struggles with exceeds its ability to be removed. This affects the condition of the immune system. The body overloaded with toxins will try to remove them through the skin, which may also result in psoriatic lesions.

Ozone rectal Insufflation works wonderfully on gut dysbiosis, she added.

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Psoriasis Treatment: The Role Of Detoxification, Nutrition And Oxygenation - TheHealthSite

Enthesitis can be asymptomatic or it can cause swelling and pain around the affected area.8 Your doctor may want to do an MRI to look for tendon or ligament enlargement and thickening (which are signs of enthesitis) when assessing whether you might have psoriatic arthritis.

Plantar fasciitis

When psoriatic arthritis involves the feet, the pain can seem like plantar fasciitis, which feels like a stabbing pain10 along the bottom of your foot near the heel. It can be easy to assume something like this is the cause of your foot pain, but if you have ongoing symptoms, exhibit other signs of psoriatic arthritis, and have a family history of psoriatic arthritis, then you may want to talk to your doctor about psoriatic arthritis screening.

Psoriatic arthritis ankle

Anyone with psoriatic arthritis can experience pain, tenderness, stiffness, and swelling in their ankles. Ankle pain is often related to inflammation of the enthesis11 (that area we mentioned above where the tendons and ligaments meet the bone and help us move our joints). Generally, psoriatic arthritis ankle stiffness and swelling can be worse in the mornings and improve when you are active. Some people may have a hard time walking at all during a particularly painful flare-up. If you can, doing some range of motion exercises first to warm up can help alleviate your pain and stiffness.

Psoriatic arthritis toes

About 50% of people with psoriatic arthritis experience dactylitis, a condition thats also referred to as sausage digits.12 As the nickname implies, your toes can become very swollen and painful due to inflammation in the toe joints and connective tissue around your toes and ligaments. Dactylitis can be present in all toes, and the swelling can be acute or chronic.13 It is important to treat and manage dactylitis because your pain and swelling can become worse. Having swollen toes doesnt automatically mean you have psoriatic arthritisdactylitis is also associated with a few other conditions, like gout, tuberculosis, and sarcoidosis (an inflammatory condition that is associated with granulomata, or inflammation that is caused by growths in your organs). However, dactylitis is a strong indicator of psoriatic arthritis, so if you experience toe swelling, be sure to bring it up to your doctor who can take this into consideration when diagnosing you.

Psoriatic arthritis nails

Psoriatic arthritis nail symptoms are common and roughly 80% of people with psoriatic arthritis14 have nail lesions, according to a 2017 paper published in Reumatologia. These changes arent the direct result of psoriatic arthritis but instead happen when you develop nail psoriasis. As a result, you may experience issues like pitting, deformity, nail plate thickening, and separation of the nail from the nail bed15 (just to name a few). If you have foot or ankle pain, toe swelling, and changes in your toenails, then you might want to talk to your doctor about whether you could have nail psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. If you are already diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and notice any nail changes as we described, then its a good idea to talk to your doctor about whether your condition is progressing.

Morning stiffness

There are various reasons that your feet may feel stiff in the morning, including going on a new hike. However, morning stiffness is a common symptom among people with psoriatic arthritis, especially during a flare. In the morning your feet may feel extra stiff and sore, which occurs because your joints can stiffen up from lack of movement16 when you sleep. Generally, light movement can help mobility, so going for a short walk if you are able to might alleviate some of your discomfort.

Gout

Gout is a painful type of inflammatory arthritis that initially affects just one joint17 (usually the big toe), but later it may affect other joints, even at the same time, such asthe ankles, knees, elbows, wrists, and fingers. However, it can also affect the ankles, knees, elbows, wrists, and fingers. Similar to psoriatic arthritis, gout symptoms include pain and swelling and may flare and subside. If your toes become very painful and swollen, then you may wonder whether its related to gout or psoriatic arthritis. There is no single test to confirm psoriatic arthritis or gout, but X-rays, lab tests, physical exams, and patient histories can help physicians differentiate between the two. And its important to get an accurate diagnosis because gout and psoriatic arthritis are two very different diseases with different treatments.

Link:
How to Manage Psoriatic Arthritis on Feet, Toes, and Ankles - Self

Pregnant women with psoriasis were found to be at increased risk of experiencing preterm birth and Cesarean delivery, with patients undergoing anti-rheumatic treatment during their first pregnancy indicated to be at significantly greater risk.

Risk of preterm birth and Cesarean delivery may be elevated in women with psoriasis, especially those undergoing anti-rheumatic treatment during pregnancy. Study findings were published recently in Arthritis & Rheumatology.

Known to impact women in childbearing age, psoriasis has been found, albeit in scarce data, to be associated with several maternal and neonatal pregnancy outcomes. Moreover, adverse links regarding rheumatic disease and pregnancy outcomes have indicated that disease activity/severity may play a key role, as well as the therapies used to manage symptoms.

As ongoing anti-rheumatic treatment around the time of pregnancy often is required to control disease activity of psoriasis, one may hypothesize that women treated with anti-rheumatic drugs before/during pregnancy have a more severe and active psoriasis disease compared to untreated women, noted researchers. Anti-rheumatic treatment may on the other hand improve clinical and inflammatory measures.

Seeking to further assess risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with and without psoriasis, as well as how anti-rheumatic treatment before and during pregnancy affects these outcomes, they conducted a nationwide cohort study of Swedish women with psoriasis (n = 921) and those without (n = 9210) during respective pregnancies between 2007 to 2017 (matched 1:10 on maternal age, year, and parity).

In the analysis, risk was stratified for presence, timing, and type of anti-rheumatic treatment, which included oral corticosteroids and conventional or biological disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Further adjustments were made for body mass index (BMI), smoking, educational level, and country of birth (Nordic or non-Nordic), with the outcome preterm birth stratified by parity (primiparous or parous).

Psoriasis pregnancies were divided into 495 psoriasis pregnancies without any treatment one year before pregnancy up until delivery and 426 psoriasis pregnancies with presence of any anti-rheumatic treatment in the same time frame, added researchers.

The latter pregnancies were further stratified into 170 pregnancies with treatment only in the year before pregnancy (ie, no treatment during pregnancy) and 237 pregnancies with treatment both in the year before and during pregnancy19 pregnancies with treatment only during pregnancy were added to the 237 pregnanciesresulting in 256 pregnancies with anti-rheumatic treatment during pregnancy.

Among the study cohort, women with psoriasis pregnancies were shown to be more often born in Nordic countries, (91.8% vs. 82.8%) and more likely to be obese (19.9% vs. 12.6%), a smoker at first antenatal visit (9.2% vs. 5.3%), and have a higher level of education (> 12 years; 50.1% vs 43.3%) than those without psoriasis during pregnancy. Diagnosis of pre-gestational hypertension and diabetes were also more likely in women with psoriasis pregnancies.

In comparing women with and without psoriasis during pregnancy, those with psoriasis were found to be at significantly increased risk of preterm birth (adjusted OR (aOR), 1.69; 95% CI, 1.27-2.24) and Cesarean delivery, including both elective (aOR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.43-2.20) and emergency procedures (aOR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.10-1.84).

No differences in risk were observed in psoriasis pregnancies compared with non-psoriasis pregnancies for incidence of pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes or hypertension, and neonate born small for gestational age or large for gestational age.

Regarding anti-rheumatic drugs, adverse pregnancy risks were shown to differ with presence, timing, and type of treatment. Notably, the most increased risks were observed in women with psoriasis pregnancies who underwent anti-rheumatic treatment during pregnancy, especially those treated with biologics:

Furthermore, a statistically significant increased risk in all analyses of preterm birth was found in women with psoriasis undergoing their first pregnancy, compared with matched first-pregnancy controls, particularly those treated with anti-rheumatic treatment during pregnancy (aOR, 3.95; 95% CI, 1.43-10.95).

No difference in risk of preterm birth was observed in analyses of subsequent pregnancies comparing psoriasis with non-psoriasis pregnancies.

Speaking on the study findings, researchers concluded that all women with psoriasis, regardless of anti-rheumatic treatment, should be counseled about pregnancy outcomes and receive individualized monitoring during pregnancy.

Reference

Remaeus K, Johansson K, Granath F, Stephansson O, Hellgren K. Pregnancy outcomes in women with psoriatic arthritis with respect to presence and timing of antirheumatic treatment. Arthritis Rheumatol. Published online October 20, 2021. doi:10.1002/art.41985

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Biologic, Antirheumatic Drug Use May Increase Risk of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Women With Psoriasis - AJMC.com Managed Markets Network

Psoriasis is a chronic condition in which itchy, red patches appear on the skin. It happens when the immune system becomes dysfunctional, leading to increases in inflammation in the body and the rapid accumulation of skin cells.

Since psoriasis is an immune-mediated condition, its common treatments involve the use of drugs that suppress the immune system. These can include:

Because these drugs weaken the immune system, some people with psoriasis may be concerned about receiving COVID-19 vaccines. COVID-19 vaccines are both safe and effective for people with psoriasis.

Lets dive deeper into what we know so far about COVID-19 vaccines and psoriasis medications.

Currently, all of the available evidence suggests that COVID-19 vaccines are safe for people taking psoriasis medications.

Lets explore some of the concerns regarding vaccine safety for people with the condition.

Psoriasis medications can weaken the immune system. This makes people taking these medications more vulnerable to contracting and becoming seriously ill with various infections.

Similarly, vaccines containing live versions of a germ arent typically used in people with a weakened immune system, as they may replicate in the body and cause illness. Some examples are the flu nasal spray vaccine and the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

However, none of the currently available COVID-19 vaccines contain live virus. Instead, they contain either an mRNA molecule or a modified adenovirus that cannot replicate within the body.

While researchers continue to study COVID-19 vaccines in people with a weakened immune system, research indicates that other inactivated vaccines, such as the flu shot and the hepatitis B vaccine, are safe for people with immune-mediated inflammatory conditions like psoriasis.

However, vaccination may trigger a flare of any autoimmune condition, including psoriasis. Its important to discuss this possibility with your doctor.

Methotrexate was initially used to treat cancer, but was approved to treat severe psoriasis in the 1970s. It works by inhibiting an enzyme that leads to rapid skin cell growth.

One of the potential side effects of taking methotrexate is a weakened immune system, specifically due to low levels of infection-fighting white blood cells. This increases infection risk.

Because of this, people taking methotrexate are at an increased risk of serious illness from COVID-19. This makes vaccination vital.

People taking methotrexate are not at an increased risk from the COVID-19 vaccine. However, it appears as if those taking methotrexate generate a reduced immune response to COVID-19 vaccination. More on that later.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), researchers are still learning how well COVID-19 vaccines protect people with a weakened immune system, including those on immunosuppressive drugs.

In fact, people taking immunosuppressive drugs were excluded from the COVID-19 vaccine trials. This is actually a standard practice for vaccine trials. It allows researchers to evaluate the immune response to the vaccine without the confounding effects of immunosuppressive drugs.

Future research will examine those with weakened immune systems more closely. For now, we do have indications that the COVID-19 vaccine is effective for those taking psoriasis medications, particularly biologics.

Two 2021 reports on people taking biologics for psoriasis found that antibodies to the novel coronavirus spike protein were developed following vaccination. How long this protection lasts is currently unknown, though.

Current data suggests that the immune response to COVID-19 vaccination may not be as strong in people taking methotrexate.

A 2021 study compared the immune response to the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine:

Another 2021 study supported these findings. It compared the immune response to two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in both healthy individuals and people with immune-mediated inflammatory conditions, predominantly those with psoriasis:

You may now be wondering why the immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine seems to be lower in people taking methotrexate compared to those taking biologics. The answer could be the ways that these medications impact the immune system.

Biologics only target very specific parts of the immune system. Traditional immunosuppressants like methotrexate are very general in their effects. It could be that this broader effect could be dampening the immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine in people taking methotrexate.

Its important for people with psoriasis to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The CDC recommends that everyone aged 12 and older get vaccinated for COVID-19.

Additionally, a task force organized by the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) recommends that all people who dont have contraindications to the vaccines receive it as soon as its available to them.

Taking psoriasis medications is not a contraindication for COVID-19 vaccination. In fact, the NPF task force recommends that those receiving the COVID-19 vaccine continue to take their psoriasis medications in most cases.

They do note that some people taking methotrexate may, in consultation with their doctor, suspend their medication for 2 weeks after vaccination to help promote an improved immune response. This guidance applies to people who meet all of the following criteria:

According to the CDC, the only contraindications for a COVID-19 vaccine are:

People with a weakened immune system that have received both doses of either mRNA vaccine may not develop the same level of immunity as those with a healthy immune system.

This includes people that are actively taking immunosuppressive medications, such as psoriasis medications.

The CDC recommends that individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised receive a booster shot at least 28 days after their second dose. The aim is to improve the immune response from the initial vaccine series.

Currently, this only applies to the two mRNA vaccines: Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. Additional data is needed to determine the benefits of a vaccine booster in individuals who received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

The NPF task force also recommends that individuals with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis that are currently taking immunosuppressive drugs should receive a booster shot.

Theyve also identified groups that are more likely to benefit from a booster, including people:

Now that weve discussed COVID-19 vaccinations and psoriasis, you may be curious if the COVID-19 vaccines can cause or exacerbate psoriasis.

Theres currently no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines can cause psoriasis.

Other vaccines, specifically the flu shots used between 2009 and 2010, have been linked with new-onset psoriasis.

However, the authors of the 2015 study reporting this finding note that in addition to it being very rare, they could not directly prove a direct causative relationship between the vaccine and psoriasis.

Vaccine-related psoriasis flares are a concern for some. A 2021 study of 142 people who were reluctant to receive a COVID-19 vaccine found that 21 percent listed the risk of a psoriasis flare as a concern.

There have been reports of psoriasis flares following COVID-19 vaccination. However, researchers have been unable to directly link them to the vaccines themselves.

Its important to note that, in these reports, people experiencing a flare after vaccination were reported to either not be taking any medications for their psoriasis or only be using topical treatments to manage their condition.

Three further reports have found that people taking psoriasis medications, specifically biologics, experienced no flares after COVID-19 vaccination. However, whether certain treatments affect the likelihood of a flare after vaccination is currently unknown.

Additionally, other factors may lead to psoriasis flares, with stress being one example. Its possible that stress related to the pandemic or to receiving a vaccination could contribute to a flare after vaccination.

Trauma to the skin, including injections, can also lead to psoriasis symptoms at the injury site. This is called the Koebner phenomenon. The incidence of the Koebner phenomenon is estimated to be between 11 to 75 percent in people with psoriasis.

Medications for psoriasis can weaken the immune system. Because of this, people with psoriasis may be at an increased risk of serious illness from COVID-19.

The available evidence indicates that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for people taking psoriasis medications. Additionally, taking psoriasis medications isnt a contraindication for vaccination.

The NPF recommends that people with psoriasis receive the vaccine as soon as they can. Additionally, booster vaccines are now recommended for immunosuppressed people, including those taking certain psoriasis medications.

If you have concerns about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine or how your psoriasis medications will impact the vaccine, be sure to discuss them with a doctor.

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COVID-19 Vaccines and Psoriasis: Safety and Effectiveness - Healthline

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Oct. 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DICE Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: DICE), a biopharmaceutical company leveraging its proprietary technology platform to build a pipeline of novel oral therapeutic candidates to treat chronic diseases in immunology and other therapeutic areas, today announced that the first healthy volunteer has been dosed in the Companys Phase 1 clinical trial of S011806. S011806 is an orally-available, small molecule antagonist of the pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-17 (IL-17), which is a validated drug target for the treatment of a variety of immunological diseases. The Phase 1 trial of S011806 is designed to generate safety and pharmacokinetic data, as well as provide early clinical proof-of-concept in psoriasis patients.

S011806 is designed to be a highly selective and potent orally administered inhibitor of the IL-17 cytokine, a well-validated target in psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondylarthritis, said Kevin Judice, Ph.D., founder and CEO of DICE Therapeutics. The initiation of this clinical trial for S011806, the first of several programs in our IL-17 franchise, marks a major milestone in our mission to bring an effective and convenient oral therapy to patients suffering from IL-17 mediated diseases like psoriasis.

The Phase 1 clinical trial is a first-in-human, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that will evaluate S011806 in healthy volunteers and psoriasis patients in the UK. The trial will evaluate single and multiple ascending doses in healthy volunteers to understand the safety and pharmacokinetics of S011806. In addition, the Phase 1 clinical trial will evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and efficacy of S011806 across two dose regimens in psoriasis patients, which could provide early clinical proof-of-concept and dose selection guidance for use in future studies.

About S011806 and PsoriasisS011806 is an orally available, small molecule antagonist of the pro-inflammatory signaling molecule IL-17, an immune cell-derived cytokine that is produced in response to infection by certain microorganisms. Upon binding to its receptor on various cell types found in tissues (e.g. keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and epithelial cells), IL-17 elicits downstream signals that orchestrate sustained tissue inflammation, with the aim of clearing the invading pathogen.

In autoimmune diseases, the immune system appears to over-react and mount strong immune responses in the absence of an obvious infectious event. Over the past two decades, research has shown that IL-17 is a powerful driver of psoriasis, a skin disease that occurs in the absence of an obvious infectious event. Psoriasis manifests as erythematous plaques with thick scaling that can occur anywhere on the body. Symptoms include itching, bleeding, and pain; furthermore, the disease can lead to disfiguration and considerable psychological burden. According to the National Psoriasis Association, more than eight million Americans and 125 million people worldwide suffered from psoriasis in 2020. There is no cure for psoriasis.

S011806 is being developed initially for the treatment of psoriasis, with the objective of achieving therapeutic benefit similar to that of the U.S. FDA-approved injectable biologics.

About DICE Therapeutics, Inc.DICE Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company leveraging its proprietary technology platform to build a pipeline of novel oral therapeutic candidates to treat chronic diseases in immunology and other therapeutic areas. DICE is initially focused on developing oral therapeutics against well-validated targets in immunology, with the goal of achieving comparable potency to their systemic biologic counterparts, which have demonstrated the greatest therapeutic benefit to date in these disease areas. The Companys DELSCAPE platform is designed to discover selective oral small molecules with the potential to modulate protein-protein interactions (PPIs) as effectively as systemic biologics. DICEs lead therapeutic candidate, S011806, is an oral antagonist of the pro-inflammatory signaling molecule, IL-17, which is a validated drug target implicated in a variety of immunology indications. DICE is also developing oral therapeutic candidates targeting 47 integrin and V1/V6 integrin for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, respectively.

Forward Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect the current beliefs and expectations of management. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements concerning the Companys future plans and prospects, and the planned timing of the Companys dosing and further clinical development of S011806. In addition, when or if used in this press release, the words may, could, should, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, intend, plan, predict and similar expressions and their variants, as they relate to the Company may identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Although we believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned that actual results, levels of activity, safety, performance or events and circumstances could differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including risks and uncertainties related to our ability to advance S011806 and our other therapeutic candidates, obtain regulatory approval of and ultimately commercialize our therapeutic candidates, the timing and results of preclinical and clinical trials, our ability to fund development activities and achieve development goals, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, our ability to protect intellectual property and other risks and uncertainties described under the heading Risk Factors in our final prospectus filed with theSecurities and Exchange Commission(SEC) pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4) onSeptember 16, 2021,and our otherSECfilings. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, we do not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein.

Contact:Katie Engleman, 1ABkatie@1abmedia.com

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DICE Therapeutics Initiates Phase 1 Clinical Trial of S011806 for the Treatment of Psoriasis - BioSpace

CAMBRIDGE, England--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Crescendo Biologics Ltd (Crescendo), a clinical stage immuno-oncology company developing novel, targeted T cell enhancing therapeutics, today announces that Zai Lab (NASDAQ: ZLAB; HKEX: 9688) has reported positive topline results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 1b proof-of-concept study of ZL-1102, an anti-IL-17A targeting Humabody.

The Phase 1b trial was a first-in-human study to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics and efficacy of a topical formulation of ZL-1102 in adults with mild-to-moderate chronic plaque psoriasis (CPP). The study recruited 53 patients with CPP, and it is reported that topical therapy with ZL-1102 resulted in clinical improvement in local PASI score, erythema and scaling, target lesion size and responder rates, and that a consistent improvement in patients was seen over time. The safety profile of ZL-1102 was comparable to placebo.

Further information can be found in the press release issued by Zai Lab on 20 October 2021.

Theodora Harold, Chief Executive Officer at Crescendo, said: This is a very exciting day for Crescendo. These are the first clinical data from the first patients to be treated with a Humabody, and we are very pleased with the topline results reported by our partners at Zai Lab. This is also the first study to demonstrate penetration of a protein biological therapeutic through psoriatic skin resulting in clinical response, illustrating an important point of differentiation of our Humabody platform. We look forward to Zai Labs continued progress of ZL1102 into full development, including registrational studies.

The declaration of clinical proof-of-concept for ZL-1102 by Zai Lab triggers a milestone payment from Zai Lab to Crescendo under the terms of the exclusive worldwide license agreement for ZL-1102 (formerly CB001) announced in May 2018. Under the terms of that agreement, Crescendo granted to Zai Lab a worldwide exclusive license to develop and commercialize ZL-1102 for all indications. Zai Lab is responsible for conducting all regulatory filings, clinical studies and commercialization activities, with Crescendo being eligible for certain development, regulatory, and commercial milestones as well as tiered royalties on global sales.

About Crescendo Biologics

Crescendo Biologics is a private, clinical stage immuno-oncology company developing novel, targeted T cell enhancing Humabody therapeutics.

Leading its proprietary pipeline, Crescendo Biologics has developed CB307, a novel half-life extended CD137 x PSMA Humabody for the selective activation of tumour-specific T cells exclusively within the tumour microenvironment. CB307 is designed to achieve a longer lasting anti-cancer effect whilst avoiding systemic toxicity, and the clinical programme for CB307 is underway in patients with PSMA positive solid tumours.

The Companys ability to develop multi-functional Humabody therapeutics is based on its unique, patent protected, transgenic mouse platform generating 100% human VH domain building blocks (Humabody VH). These robust molecules can be configured to engage therapeutic targets in such a way that they deliver novel biology and superior bio-distribution. This results in larger therapeutic windows compared to conventional IgG approaches. Humabody-based formats can also be applied across a range of non-cancer indications.

Beyond Crescendos proprietary pipeline, the Company has a global, multi-target discovery and development collaboration with Takeda; a clinical development partnership with Cancer Research UK; and an exclusive, worldwide licensing agreement with Zai Lab for ZL-1102 (formerly CB001), an anti-IL-17A targeting Humabody, which has recently successfully completed a Phase 1 clinical trial.

Crescendo Biologics is located in Cambridge, UK, and is backed by blue-chip investors including Sofinnova Partners, Andera Partners, IP Group, Takeda Ventures, Quan Capital and Astellas.

For more information, please visit http://www.crescendobiologics.com and follow @HUMABODY.

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Crescendo Biologics Announces That Zai Lab Has Achieved Proof-of-Concept for ZL-1102 (Humabody, CB001) in a Phase 1b Clinical Trial in Psoriasis...

Zoe Ryan will open up about her experience living with psoriasis.

An Offaly woman is set to feature in a new film bringing innovation in medicine to life.

Zoe Ryan, a journalist from Tullamore, will open up about her experience living with psoriasis and the hope science offers for better treatments and even cures.

The film, which launches on November 1st, is part of a campaign called Innovate For Life, run by the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA), the representative organisation for the research-based biopharmaceutical industry.

It documents patients' experience of living with disease and their hopes for a better quality of life through science.

When she was 18, Zoe was officially diagnosed with psoriasis. Better treatments now mean she is able the manage the condition and live a normal life.

Innovate For Life focuses on psoriasis, heart health, dementia and obesity. It features patients, scientists, doctors and community and industry leaders.

"When I was 18, I was officially diagnosed with psoriasis. For years, I struggled with the embarrassment and stigma that comes with living with a chronic condition that affects your visual appearance. But knowing that scientists are working on new answers for skin-related conditions gives me hope. I have regained my confidence. I am delighted to be part of Innovate For Life because it raises public awareness for conditions like psoriasis. The campaign shows that ongoing scientific research is constantly leading to medical advancements that allow patients, like me, to pursue their passions in life," said Zoe.

The Innovate For Life films are distributed through IPHAs Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook channels.

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Offaly Woman Features In New Film On Innovation In Medicine - Midlands103

If you live with psoriasis, theres a good chance that you also experience its effects on your scalp. And that just sucks, because its itchy, scaly, and uncomfortable. Sounding familiar? Then you might be wondering how to remove psoriasis scales from your scalp without making the discomfort any worse.

Turn that frown upside down, because yes: you can absolutely do it! But its important to remove scales the right way. Otherwise, youre increasing your risk of inflammation, pain, and infection. And that is not what we have in our plans for today.

Lets take a look at how to remove psoriasis scales as safely as possible and bring the joy of less-itchy hair back into your life.

Take note: these ingredients are about to become your new squad members.

Theres actually a whole list of over-the-counter (OTC) products that docs recommend for psoriasis. But when it comes to scalp psoriasis, were mostly talking about two major players: salicylic acid and coal tar.

This stuff (which youll soon be adding into your phone as Sally with lots of heart emojis because it will be your BFF) is the OG of OTC psoriasis treatment.

A 2017 study found that salicylic acid can be super effective for softening and loosening scales, making them much easier for you to remove. But just like your BFF, you never want too much of it. Salicylic acid is strong stuff, so make sure you read the instructions and use it correctly.

This is a common ingredient in psoriasis medications, so youll find it pretty easy to buy.

And according to research from 2017, coal tar was particularly handy for treating scalp psoriasis, with symptoms usually improving after 1 month and peeps staying in remission (i.e., symptom-free) for longer than they did with other topical psoriasis treatments.

It did fall out of favor at one point, thanks to being a little bit smelly and causing side effects like staining, contact dermatitis, and stinging. But its back with a new, better-smelling formula and its milder than salicylic acid.

You can also look out for creams or shampoos containing urea. Research that assesses its benefits is slim pickings, but it commonly pops up in keratolytics (the fancy word for topical treatments that soften the skin).

The National Psoriasis Foundation also lists lactic acid as a useful ingredient for scale lifters.

Lets start by locating those pesky scales. Your removal tactics are going to be slightly different depending on where it is.

Are your scales behind your ear, on your neck, or in a place generally free of hair? Youll need a spot treatment you can put directly onto your skin.

Scales surrounded by hair mean youll need a specialized shampoo instead.

If your scales dont have pesky hair sprouting out of them or surrounding them, you can bust out the good stuff. Youll need to find a cream or topical treatment containing those good ol active ingredients. These tend to be stronger than psoriasis shampoos.

Hair getting in the way? Then the shampoos are the way forward. Yes, theyre milder and gentler (this is your scalp were talking about, after all), but theyll still do a fine job of softening those scales up.

Check out this list of shampoos recommended by the National Psoriasis Foundation. They know their stuff when it comes to scale-softening suds.

First things first: you need to apply your shampoo and let it start doing its job.

Apply it and rub it in gently (no sense in going hell for leather youll just irritate your skin). Get it under your fingertips, pretend youre in that fancy salon, and give yourself a light head massage.

Mmm.

Want to take a break, feel a little bit luxurious, and give yourself an easier time with getting rid of those scales?

You can plop a plastic cap (heck, even a plastic grocery bag will do the trick) over your soapy locks and stand under the shower for 10 minutes.

Keeping the water warm rather than hot will lock in those active ingredients.

Its worth taking your time and following these steps gently but thoroughly:

Be meticulous. Be painstaking. Comb every inch of your hair, especially around the scales. Youll thank yourself for it later.

Then, rinse out the suds.

So, this is the gentle way to get those pesky scales out of your hair and your life, just like your ex. But its also good to know what triggers your psoriasis, as you can then avoid it as best you can (also like your ex).

Everyone with psoriasis has a different trigger, and you might already know what yours is. If youre not sure, here are some likely culprits:

Nail whats triggering your psoriasis symptoms, and youll have fewer scales to worry about in the first place.

So youve tried shampooing your scales away. But does it feel like theyre not really clearing up? Its a bummer, for sure, and now youre wondering what else you can do. Anything?

Good news: there are other avenues you can explore, though youll want to discuss them with your doc first.

Scalp psoriasis can be hella uncomfortable and tough on your mental health. Luckily, if youre careful about it, you can gently remove the scales and make life a little bit easier.

Check out specialist shampoos and creams designed to make those flakes rise off your skin. Gently apply them to your head, targeting where those itchy patches are, and leave them a little time to work their magic.

Comb your hair thoroughly, and voila! Your scales may well be reduced. If its still not working, its worth having a word with your doctor. They can prescribe some stronger shampoos or creams to try out. And if you notice your scales getting any worse, stop using the treatment, and head back to the doc.

Scales be gone! Soon youll be rocking a scale-free scalp and a less itchy life.

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How to Remove Psoriasis Scales from Scalp: Steps and Tips - Greatist

A person with psoriasis may wish to add certain steps to their skin care routine. By following specific skin care techniques, individuals could help alleviate their symptoms and prevent flare-ups of psoriasis symptoms.

Psoriasis is a chronic immune disease that causes plaques to appear on the skin. An overactive immune system causes the skin cells to grow too quickly, resulting in scaly plaques forming on the skin.

Treatments for psoriasis involve medications and therapies that aim to either treat existing plaques, prevent new ones from forming, or slow or stop disease progression.

To help aid treatment, a person can take several steps at home to help reduce the severity of the plaques and hinder or prevent new ones from forming. This article discusses several different tips for caring for psoriasis-affected skin and things to avoid.

A warm bath can provide temporary relief to psoriasis. However, soaking for long periods of time could worsen symptoms. Instead, the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) recommends:

Learn about the potential benefits of bathing with Dead Sea salt.

Moisturizing the skin can help provide symptom relief for itching and flaking. The National Psoriasis Foundation recommends avoiding moisturizers that contain added fragrances, dyes, or chemicals. This includes avoiding products with essential oils.

Although there are no recommendations for how often to apply moisturizer each day, a person should consider applying it after a bath, shower, or washing their hands. They should also consider using it as needed throughout the day.

Learn how to improve skin moisture with wet wraps.

Light therapy, or UVB phototherapy, can be an effective therapy for psoriasis. A dermatologist can prescribe and supervise this therapy. Depending on a persons needs, it can include full body or targeted treatment.

An individual may have the option to go to the doctors office for this therapy or undergo it at home. When applying the therapy at home, a person should follow all instructions from a healthcare professional.

For some people, sunlight can also be effective as a natural form of light therapy. However, the National Psoriasis Foundation states that sunlight is not as effective as phototherapy. Additionally, an individual needs to practice caution when in the sun, as some medications can increase the risk of sunburn.

A person interested in light therapy should speak with their doctor about suitable light therapy options.

Learn about at-home phototherapy for psoriasis.

Dietary changes may help reduce psoriasis symptoms on the skin. However, there is no single diet that can treat psoriasis directly.

Instead, the AADA recommends a person follow a nutritious diet. The organization also mentions that the following three diets may be helpful for psoriasis symptoms:

Some people find that certain foods trigger their symptoms. However, these foods may vary from person to person. To identify which foods may be causing flare-ups, an individual can keep a food diary and track any symptoms that occur after eating certain foods.

Learn more about how diet can affect psoriasis.

When living with psoriasis, avoiding certain activities or ingredients can help manage symptoms. The following are some tips on what to avoid if a person has psoriasis.

Skin and hair care products often include additives, such as fragrances, chemicals, and dyes. Products containing these ingredients can irritate a persons psoriasis and worsen symptoms.

Therefore, the National Psoriasis Foundation recommends avoiding products with additives. It also suggests speaking with a doctor before using any new topical or skin care product.

Research shows that smoking increases the risk of psoriasis and comorbidities. A 2020 study also indicates smoking can increase the risk of nail involvement in psoriasis.

Additionally, other research suggests alcohol consumption negatively affects a persons symptoms. In a 2019 study, researchers noted that alcohol can initiate and exacerbate inflammation in the body, which can cause symptoms to flare.

Picking and scratching psoriasis patches can worsen symptoms. Instead, the AADA recommends that people can relieve itching by:

Learn more about why psoriasis itches and how to stop it safely.

A person with psoriasis may find that establishing a routine can help with managing their symptoms at home. Although their daily schedules may vary, individuals can consider their plans for the day and adapt their routines accordingly.

The below are steps that people can fit into their day to help manage psoriasis.

Psoriasis causes patches of skin to become inflamed and itchy. Treatments can help prevent flare-ups and reduce symptoms, and a person can often take additional steps to reduce symptom severity.

Applying moisturizer, following a nutritious diet, and managing stress can all help individuals with psoriasis improve their skin care routine. Additionally, avoiding alcohol, stopping smoking, and not using products with added chemicals can also help reduce severe symptoms.

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Psoriasis skin care: 5 tips and what to avoid - Medical News Today

Psoriasis is generally thought to affect both men and women equally, though 2021 research has found that it may be slightly more predominant in men.

Men managing psoriasis should keep some special considerations in mind, from specific symptoms to treatment responses.

Heres what to know.

Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will generally use the terms men and women to refer to a persons sex assigned at birth.

Psoriasis is a skin condition marked by dry, thick, raised patches of itchy, flaky skin. It affects approximately 3 percent of men and women in the United States, which equals about 7.5 million adults.

For most people, psoriasis is a lifelong condition with periods of symptom flares and remission. Many experience psoriasis symptoms after a period of clear skin, in some cases worse than before.

Although comprehensive reviews have found inconclusive data about the relationship between gender and psoriasis, smaller studies have found that biological sex may impact the psoriasis experience.

A 2017 study found that, on average, men had significantly higher Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores than women. The study reported that women had a median PASI score of 5.4 versus 7.3 for men. A score from 5 to 10 is considered moderate disease.

A 2021 study analyzing 9 years of data found that women tend to respond better to biologic and nonbiologic psoriasis treatment options than men. The study measured outcomes at 3, 6, and 12 months and found that women had statistically significant better outcomes at each stage.

For people of all genders, living with psoriasis has an emotional impact.

Psoriasis blogger Howard Chang told Healthline that between managing doctors appointments, medical care, and his daily skin care routine, the condition is always present in his life.

It can take an emotional toll, especially when my psoriasis is worsening, he said. A day doesnt go by when I dont think about psoriasis. When its bad, an hour doesnt pass without feeling anxious about whether it will get even worse or if it will get better.

Theres an established link between psoriasis and an increased risk of depression or anxiety. It often becomes cyclical, where psoriasis can bring on depression and anxiety, and this in turn can lead to behaviors that make psoriasis worse.

Red, itchy, flaky psoriasis plaques can crop up just about anywhere on the body. Psoriasis can manifest in ways that impact men in particular, though.

For people of all genders, scalp psoriasis can result in hair loss. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a few strategies to reduce hair loss from scalp psoriasis:

A dermatologist can also help you find the right kind of psoriasis treatment to apply to the scalp.

People with beards may also have to take particular care with facial hair and skin maintenance. This will help you avoid cuts or dryness that can trigger flares or exacerbate psoriasis.

Follow these tips:

Check with a dermatologist about the specific ingredients in any shaving cream or oil to help determine if it may irritate your skin.

Though it may be embarrassing, genital psoriasis affects people of all genders.

Its not contagious. Your sexual partners cannot catch psoriasis if you have psoriasis.

Its usually safe to engage in sexual intimacy even when youre experiencing a genital psoriasis flare. Avoid sex if the skin is raw, though.

Otherwise, take these precautions:

Genital psoriasis may require special treatment. Tell your dermatologist if you have a flare up in this area so you can work together on figuring out next steps.

Taking steps to identify triggers and adopt a healthy lifestyle can help anyone living with psoriasis, including men, manage the condition.

Certain triggers can cause psoriasis to worsen or flare up. These can include:

Tracking your psoriasis over time can help you identify and avoid your individual triggers.

For entrepreneur Thomas Fultz, stress-reducing techniques have been helpful on the psoriasis journey.

Ive taken on meditation, deep breathing exercises, and night walks, he told Healthline. All have helped tremendously with my stress. Mindset is key.

Making certain lifestyle changes can also help improve psoriasis management. This may include:

Chang tells Healthline that taking these steps helps him control his psoriasis.

Im realizing that my lifestyle impacts my overall health, and hence my psoriasis, he said. Minimizing psoriasis triggers and keeping up a healthy lifestyle is part of my holistic approach to managing psoriasis.

A variety of treatment options are available for people with psoriasis.

Talk with your dermatologist if you have specific concerns about treating psoriasis on your scalp, genitals, or beard area in particular. Sometimes these specific areas require targeted treatment strategies.

Treating psoriasis usually involves one or a combination of approaches. This may include:

Talk with your dermatologist about your individual symptoms to come up with the best treatment strategy to try.

Treating psoriasis often involves working with a dermatologist to experiment with various options before finding the treatment or combination of treatments that works best for you

Even after finding success with a given treatment regimen, you may require a change in treatment over time.

Jon Quigley, a product development expert, has had a long road to finding solutions for psoriasis. He described his psoriasis experience to Healthline as severe.

In the worst of circumstances, I cant tie my shoes, as my fingers have tears in them, he said.

Quigley was prescribed a combination of oral medication and UV light therapy. Although it worked on his psoriasis, the medication made him feel ill. He tried topical steroids and ointments, but they were ineffective.

He has found success with natural sun exposure to help control symptoms.

Fultz relied on topical steroid creams, which were challenging to apply. He has had positive experiences with photobiomodulation, a form of light therapy. He gains access to this treatment option through a local spa.

Chang has also experimented with a variety of therapies. He currently takes a biologic and uses a topical steroid, which has resulted in some success, although his skin is not yet completely clear of psoriasis.

Before switching or stopping any psoriasis treatment, first talk with your dermatologist. Some treatments might have to be tapered, or gradually reduced, before stopping completely.

Your dermatologist can recommend the best next steps.

Men may experience psoriasis differently than women.

Work with a dermatologist to identify specific areas of concern, pinpoint personal triggers, make necessary lifestyle changes, and find the right treatment or combination of treatments to help you manage your psoriasis.

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Psoriasis in Men: What to Know and How to Manage - Healthline