Category Archives: Psoriasis

The results of a Phase II study suggest that selective inhibition of interleukin-23 with risankizumab may be more effective in treating moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis than ustekinumab. "Although these findings are preliminary, the data suggest that selective blockade of interleukin-23 through the inhibition of the p19 subunit rather than p40 provides a more complete inhibition of interleukin-23 activity, potentially resulting in greater efficacy in the treatment of plaque psoriasis at the doses used," the researchers report. "However, differences in binding affinity or in potency between risankizumab and ustekinumab may have contributed to the differences in efficacy we found in this trial." For the study, 166 patients were randomized to receive subcutaneous injections of risankizumab (a single 18-mg dose at week 0 or 90-mg or 180-mg doses at weeks 0, 4, and 16) or ustekinumab (45 or 90 mg, according to body weight, at weeks 0, 4, and 16). At week 12, the percentage of patients with a 90% or greater reduction in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scorethe primary endpointwas 77% for the risankizumab group (90-mg and 180-mg groups, pooled) and 40% for the ustekinumab group. In addition, 45% of the pooled 90-mg and 180-mg risankizumab groups saw a 100% reduction in the PASI score, compared with 18% of the ustekinumab group. Efficacy was generally maintained up to 20 weeks after the last dose of 90 or 180 mg of risankizumab. Serious adverse events were reported in five patients in the 18-mg risankizumab group, six in the 90-mg risankizumab group, and three in the ustekinumab group. Further study is needed, according to the researchers, noting that the trial was not big enough or long enough to assess risankizumab's safety profile.

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Risankizumab vs. ustekinumab for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis - Pharmacy Today, American Pharmacists Association, pharmacist.com

1. Risankizumab was associated with a significantly greater improvement in the primary endpoint of 90% reduction of the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score than ustekinumab.

2. Risankizumab was also associated with a significantly higher proportion of patients that experienced 100% reduction in the PASI score than ustekinumab.

Evidence Rating Level: 1 (Excellent)

Study Rundown: Plaque psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by raised red patches on the skin covered with scale. There is evidence that suggests the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-23 (IL-23) has a strong influence on the pathogenesis of psoriasis, and so this phase 2 trial was conducted to compare two anti-IL-23 humanized monoclonal antibodies that are used in the management of plaque psoriasis.

Patients in this trial were randomized in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to receive one of three doses of risankizumab or ustekinumab. For the primary end point of 90% reduction in the PASI score from baseline, risankizumab was shown to be superior to ustekinumab. For the secondary endpoint of percentage of patients who experienced 100% reduction in PASI score, risankizumab was also shown to be superior to ustekinumab. These findings are compelling as they were derived from a head-to-head comparison of two anti-IL-23 humanized monoclonal antibodies, however as this was a phase 2 trial, the small study population limited the robust assessment of treatment and side effects.

Click to read the study, published in NEJM

Relevant Reading: The IL-23-IL-17 immune axis: from mechanisms to therapeutic testing

In-Depth [prospective cohort]: In this 48-week, multicenter, randomized, dose-ranging phase 2 trial, 166 patients were randomized in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to receive one of three doses of risankizumab or ustekinumab. Risankizumab (90 and 180 mg, pooled) was superior to ustekinumab with regard to the primary endpoint at week 12 (77% vs. 40%, p < 0.001). The percentages of patients who experienced 100% reduction in the baseline PASI score were 41% in the 90-mg risankizumab group and 48% in the 180-mg risankizumab group (p < 0.001 for both), versus 18% in the ustekinumab group.

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2 Minute Medicines The Classics in Medicine: Summaries of the Landmark Trials is available now in paperback and e-book editions.

This text summarizes the key trials in:General Medicine and Chronic Disease, Cardiology, Critical and Emergent Care, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Hematology and Oncology, Imaging, Infectious Disease, Nephrology, Neurology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Pulmonology, and Surgery.

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Risankizumab more effective than ustekinumab for moderate-to-severe psoriasis - 2 Minute Medicine

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

A new report by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) challenges policymakers and healthcare professionals to address the burden of psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune disease of the skin that affects 125 million people worldwide. This report benchmarks progress in Canada and countries across Europe since the 2014 World Health Organization (WHO) Resolution, which called for global action to improve quality of life for people living with the disease.1,2,3,4

The report, Encouraging policy action to address the psoriasis challenge, sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company, identifies psoriasis awareness, diagnosis, treatment and support as critical areas for improvement. Findings also highlight inequality in access to support and effective treatment for those living with psoriasis. The report details ways the psoriasis community can help meet this challenge and ease the burden on both patients and the healthcare system.1

Based upon insights from leading experts in academia, the medical profession, patients and patient associations across France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK and Canada, the report concludes that more government action is needed to address the challenges of psoriasis, including the negative physical and mental health strain of the disease, as well as the growing economic impact.1

Each country was benchmarked on the effectiveness of their psoriasis policies and guidelines, including adherence to WHO recommendations.1

We know that psoriasis management to a great extent depends on national healthcare systems. Some countries have well-established, well-functioning healthcare systems with adequate resources to help all patients. In other countries, this might not be the case. Thats why we strongly urge national governments to prioritize their healthcare system and set up a national advocacy plan on psoriasis. Steps like these are essential to start improving life quality for people with psoriasis across the world. Said Lars Ettarp, President of the International Federation of Psoriasis Associations IFPA.

Erin Huntington, VP of International Corporate Affairs at Lilly said: Despite the WHO calling for worldwide action in 2014, much more clearly needs to be done across Europe and Canada to improve quality of life for those affected by psoriasis. We hope that this new report will help draw attention to this debilitating condition, and encourage debate and action by policymakers, academics, medical practitioners and patient advocates. We look forward to playing our part.

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors:

About Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune disease that affects the skin. It occurs when the immune system sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis affects approximately 125 million people worldwide,4 approximately 20 percent of whom have moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.5 Psoriasis can occur on any part of the body and is associated with other serious health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.5,6 The most common form of psoriasis, plaque psoriasis, appears as raised, red patches covered with a silvery white build-up of dead skin cells.5

About the report1

Encouraging policy action to address the psoriasis challenge is a report by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company. In August-October 2016, The EIU conducted interviews with 19 leading experts in academia, the medical profession, patients and patient associations, across France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK and Canada.

Methodology1

The countries in the report were assessed using a scorecard framework developed by The EIU. This framework assesses countries efforts to follow national or European recommendations to improve the care of people living with psoriasis. As a starting point, The EIU used psoriasis policy recommendations from the WHO and complemented them with data from other relevant sources to create an assessment framework. The framework scores countries on their level of support for people with psoriasis by considering policy across all the areas relevant to improving care for people living with psoriasis. These areas are: access to professional medical care; access to treatment; national patient registry for psoriasis; activities to build awareness; diagnosis, monitoring and treatment guidelines; measurement of clinical indicators; continuum of care; side-effects of treatment; patient-centred care; workforce capacity; education and training on disease; quality measures; coordinated and integrated care; individualized/personalized treatment; patient education; psychological support; discrimination; the role of patient associations and advocacy groups.

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About the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)7

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) is a world leader in research and analysis, with nearly 70 years experience. Part of The Economist Group, the sister company toThe Economist newspaper, their work is independent and impartial. More information can be found at http://www.eiu.com or http://www.twitter.com/theeiu.

About the International Federation of Psoriasis Associations8

The International Federation of Psoriasis Associations (IFPA) is a non-profit organization made up of national and regional psoriasis associations from around the world.

IFPA strives to be the global psoriasis advocacy organization. Its goals are to empower IFPAs members, improve living conditions for patients, raise awareness of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and cooperate with fellow stakeholders. Since its founding in 1971, IFPA has continuously sought to resolve the challenges facing the international psoriasis community.

About Eli Lilly and Company

Eli Lilly and Company is a global healthcare leader that unites caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We were founded more than a century ago by Colonel Eli Lilly, who was committed to creating high quality medicines that meet peoples needs, and today we remain true to that mission in all our work. Lilly employees work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and contribute to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism.

AboutEli LillyCanada Inc.

Eli Lilly Canada was established in 1938, the result of a research collaboration with scientists at the University of Toronto which eventually produced the world's first commercially-available insulin. Lilly Canada now employs 598 people across the country, working in the areas of oncology, diabetes, autoimmunity, neurodegeneration, and pain. To learn more about Lilly Canada, please visit us at http://www.lilly.ca.

References

1. Encouraging policy action to address the psoriasis challenge, http://www.eiu.com. March 2016. https://www.eiuperspectives.economist.com/healthcare/encouraging-policy-action-address-psoriasis-challenge-1. Accessed April 3, 2017.

2. WHO, WHA67.9 Resolution. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2014. http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA67-REC1/A67_2014_REC1-en.pdf. Accessed January 11, 2017.

3. WHO, Global Report on Psoriasis. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2016. http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/204417/1/9789241565189_eng.pdf. Accessed January 11, 2017.

4. The International Federation of Psoriasis Associations (IFPA). https://ifpa-pso.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Brochure-Psoriasis-is-a-serious-disease-deserving-global-attention.pdf. Accessed February 3, 2017.

5. Menter A, Gottlieb A, Feldman SR, et al. (2008) Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: Section 1. Overview of psoriasis and guidelines of care for the treatment of psoriasis with biologics. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008;58(5):826-50.

6. Chiesa F, et al. The risk of cancer in patients with psoriasis, JAMA Dermatology. 2016. 152(3) 282-290.

7. The Economist Intelligence Unit. Introduction. https://www.eiu.com/home.aspx. Accessed January 11, 2017.

8. The International Federation of Psoriasis Associations (IFPA). http://www.ifpa-pso.com/web/page.aspx?refid=10. Accessed January 11, 2017.

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Eli Lilly and Company: New Report Reveals Little Progress on 2014 WHO Psoriasis Recommendations - Yahoo Finance

The drug was found to have anti-inflammatory properties that can beat the itch caused by the conditions

IT is already being tested totreat chronic pain, nausea and anorexia but now cannabis could be used to treat painful skin conditions too.

The drug contains anti-inflammatory properties that could help ease the pain of eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis, experts have discovered.

Alamy

And, even more promising for those who suffer with the conditions, it could prove successful at getting rid of the dreaded itch that comes with them.

Researchers fromUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus found the active ingredient in cannabis, calledtetrahydrocannabinol (THC), successful in reducing inflammation and swelling in mice.

Tests also showed thatmice with melanoma saw their tumour growth slowed significantly when injected with THC but researchers warnedit was not yet a potential treatment for the disease.

The possible new treatment comes in the form of a cream that has anti-inflammatory properties from the cannabinoids.

Eight out of 21 patients who applied the cream twice a day for three weeks were completely free of itching afterwards

Robert Dellavalle, lead author and associate professor of dermatology at the university, said: Perhaps the most promising role for cannabinoids is in the treatment of itch.

These are topical cannabinoid drugs with little or no psychotropic effect that can be used for skin disease.

Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales.

These patches normally appear on your elbows, knees, scalp and lower back, but can appear anywhere on your body.

Most people are only affected with small patches. In some cases, the patches can be itchy or sore.

It affects around two per cent of the UK population.

Why does it happen?

People with psoriasis have an increased production of skin cells.

Skin cells are normally made and replaced every three to four weeks, but in psoriasis this process only lasts about three to seven days.

The resulting build-up of skin cells is what creates the patches associated with psoriasis.

It is thought to be a problem with the immune system and can run in families.

How is it treated?

Theres no cure for psoriasis, but a range of treatments can improve symptoms and the appearance of skin patches.

In most cases, the first treatment used will be a topical treatment, such as vitamin D analogues or topical corticosteroids.

Topical treatments are creams and ointments applied to the skin.

If these arent effective, or your condition is more severe, a treatment called phototherapy may be used.

Phototherapy involves exposing your skin to certain types of ultraviolet light.

In severe cases, where the above treatments are ineffective, systemic treatments may be used. These are oral or injected medicines that work throughout the whole body.

Source: NHS

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Dr Dellavalle added that, although large-scale clinical trials of the treatment had not yet been done, the creams could provide an option for people who had tried other medications with no success.

He added: These diseases cause a lot of problems for people and have a direct impact on their quality of life.

The treatments are currently being bought over the internet and we need to educate dermatologists and patients about the potential uses of them.

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Medical CANNABIS could help ease the agony of psoriasis and ... - The Sun

Recognized for easing psoriasis symptoms of dry, itchy, flaky skin, five products have recently been awarded the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) Seal of Recognition. The NPF Seal of Recognition highlights over-the-counter products that are proven to safely and effectively manage symptoms of psoriasis.

Independently reviewed by a panel of dermatology medical experts as well as those living with psoriasis, the Seal of Recognition identifies tested and trusted products that help people with psoriasis ease their symptoms. Joining a list of eight other products that have already received the Seal of Recognition, the latest Seal recipients include:

MetaDerm Heal & Prevent Cream. MetaDerm Heal & Prevent Cream is clinically proven to restore skin health and relieve itchy, red, scaly and inflamed skin, even for chronic and severe psoriasis. A unique combination of novel therapeutic botanicals helps to calm the damaging hyper-inflammation that causes skin to flare up.

Curl HYDRA THERAPY WET SKIN MOISTURIZER is activated by water on freshly-showered skin and penetrates deeply into the skins surface to heal dryness, for soft, healthy skin you can only imagine.

Dermarest Psoriasis Medicated Treatment Gel with 3% salicylic acid, and a unique zinc complex is specially formulated to truly treat psoriasis and relieve symptoms. This fragrance-free gel removes scales, eliminates itching, reduces redness, and restores moisture.

Dermarest Psoriasis Medicated Shampoo Plus Conditioner with 3% salicylic acid and a unique zinc complex is specially formulated to truly treat psoriasis and relieve symptoms. This fragrance-free shampoo plus conditioner removes and controls scalp build-up, soothes irritation, eliminates itching, and restores moisture.

Dermarest Psoriasis Medicated Moisturizer with 2% salicylic acid and a unique zinc complex is specially formulated to truly treat psoriasis and relieve symptoms. This soothing, fragrance-free moisturizer removes scales, eliminates itching, reduces redness, and restores moisture.

LISTEN:Psoriasis: An interview with Dr. David Sikes

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Psoriasis Topicals: National Psoriasis Foundation awards Seal of Recognition to 5 products - Outbreak News Today

TIP OF THE WEEK Simple solutions to care for psoriasis If you have psoriasis, medicines are your best treatment solution, but theyre not your only option. Complement your regimen with these strategies from WebMD. -- Moisturize. Whether you prefer creams or lotions, a moisturizing routine will improve your skin and your psoriasis. -- Spend some time in the sun. Sunlight is actually good for your psoriasis, provided you dont get sunburned. Try to spend 20 minutes a day, 3 days a week, in the sun. Always apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to protect against burns. -- Stop smoking. Yes, you can add problems with your psoriasis to the list of smoking-related complications. One study showed smokers who smoked a pack a day were twice as likely to experience a serious case of psoriasis as those who smoked no more than half a pack a day.

HEALTHY EATING 3 tips to make dinner healthier, faster These days youre always on the go. When its time to eat, you reach for something fast, which often is not the healthiest choice. Fast and healthy dont have to be mutually exclusive. You can eat well without a lot of prep time, thanks to these tips from WebMD. -- Opt for precooked meats. Meat from your grocers deli or fresh over-the-counter fish are easy, healthy sources of protein. -- Choose a vegetarian selection. Eliminate the meat and you dont need to cook it. Vegetarian entrees offer a wide array of options for any taste, so explore your choices and add what appeals to you. -- Start with salad. Whether you go meatless or not, a salad makes for a quick, easy meal that can be as light or hearty as you want. Prepackaged options can save you even more time.

ILLNESS When to wash to prevent illness Can frequent hand-washing keep you from getting sick so often? Absolutely, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It points to research showing good hand-washing habits have reduced the incidence of diarrhea by 31 percent and the incidence of respiratory illness (including colds) by 21 percent.

Most everyone knows to wash their hands after using the bathroom and before eating, but the CDC also recommends stepping to the sink in the following four situations: -- Before, during and after preparing or handling food. -- After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. -- After touching garbage. -- After touching either an animal or animal food.

RESEARCH New procedure for damaged rotator cuffs The rotator cuff is one of the most important parts of the shoulder, as it consists of muscles and tendons that hold the shoulder in place and allow the body to lift the arm and reach for items. Rotator cuff injuries are the most common source of shoulder pain and disability. Those who suffer from rotator cuff disease often avoid surgery to repair the tear due to rehabilitation and time away from work.

A new technology is now available that helps tendons heal by stimulating the growth of new tendon tissue. The Rotation Medical Bioinductive Implant, which is about the size of a postage stamp, is inserted through a small incision during a short, minimally invasive procedure. The first-of-its-kind implant can provide a range of potential benefits, including shorter rehabilitation, faster recovery, prevention or slowing of disease progression, healing of partial-thickness tears, and decreased risk of developing a subsequent tear. -- Brandpoint

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Health Watch: How to treat psoriasis - Newton Press Mentor

TIP OF THE WEEK Simple solutions to care for psoriasis If you have psoriasis, medicines are your best treatment solution, but theyre not your only option. Complement your regimen with these strategies from WebMD. -- Moisturize. Whether you prefer creams or lotions, a moisturizing routine will improve your skin and your psoriasis. -- Spend some time in the sun. Sunlight is actually good for your psoriasis, provided you dont get sunburned. Try to spend 20 minutes a day, 3 days a week, in the sun. Always apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to protect against burns. -- Stop smoking. Yes, you can add problems with your psoriasis to the list of smoking-related complications. One study showed smokers who smoked a pack a day were twice as likely to experience a serious case of psoriasis as those who smoked no more than half a pack a day.

HEALTHY EATING 3 tips to make dinner healthier, faster These days youre always on the go. When its time to eat, you reach for something fast, which often is not the healthiest choice. Fast and healthy dont have to be mutually exclusive. You can eat well without a lot of prep time, thanks to these tips from WebMD. -- Opt for precooked meats. Meat from your grocers deli or fresh over-the-counter fish are easy, healthy sources of protein. -- Choose a vegetarian selection. Eliminate the meat and you dont need to cook it. Vegetarian entrees offer a wide array of options for any taste, so explore your choices and add what appeals to you. -- Start with salad. Whether you go meatless or not, a salad makes for a quick, easy meal that can be as light or hearty as you want. Prepackaged options can save you even more time.

ILLNESS When to wash to prevent illness Can frequent hand-washing keep you from getting sick so often? Absolutely, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It points to research showing good hand-washing habits have reduced the incidence of diarrhea by 31 percent and the incidence of respiratory illness (including colds) by 21 percent.

Most everyone knows to wash their hands after using the bathroom and before eating, but the CDC also recommends stepping to the sink in the following four situations: -- Before, during and after preparing or handling food. -- After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. -- After touching garbage. -- After touching either an animal or animal food.

RESEARCH New procedure for damaged rotator cuffs The rotator cuff is one of the most important parts of the shoulder, as it consists of muscles and tendons that hold the shoulder in place and allow the body to lift the arm and reach for items. Rotator cuff injuries are the most common source of shoulder pain and disability. Those who suffer from rotator cuff disease often avoid surgery to repair the tear due to rehabilitation and time away from work.

A new technology is now available that helps tendons heal by stimulating the growth of new tendon tissue. The Rotation Medical Bioinductive Implant, which is about the size of a postage stamp, is inserted through a small incision during a short, minimally invasive procedure. The first-of-its-kind implant can provide a range of potential benefits, including shorter rehabilitation, faster recovery, prevention or slowing of disease progression, healing of partial-thickness tears, and decreased risk of developing a subsequent tear. -- Brandpoint

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Health Watch: How to treat psoriasis - Taft Midway Driller

Clinical Advisor

First-line biologic treatment for psoriasis influenced by specific factors Clinical Advisor (HealthDay News) The presence of psoriatic arthritis, patient weight, registration country, employment status, and disease severity are the main factors influencing first-line biologic treatment selection for patients with psoriasis, according to a ...

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First-line biologic treatment for psoriasis influenced by specific factors - Clinical Advisor

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Kadmon Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: KDMN) (Kadmon or the Company) today announced the publication of clinical data from its completed Phase 2 open-label clinical trial of KD025, its oral Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase 2 (ROCK2) inhibitor, in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. In the study, KD025 treatment improved clinical scores and skin pathology in psoriasis patients via concurrent modulation of the pro- and anti-inflammatory immune cell response. The results were published this week in the Cutting Edge section of the Journal of Immunology.

Preclinical and clinical studies by Kadmon researchers have previously demonstrated the importance of the ROCK2 signaling pathway in autoimmune disease settings. To further explore the therapeutic potential of ROCK2 inhibition, Kadmon conducted a 12-week, open-label, Phase 2 study of KD025 in 38 patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. The results demonstrated that KD025 affected the cellular mechanisms associated with psoriasis progression, as measured in both peripheral blood and the skin, leading to improvements in clinical scores of patients at 12 weeks. Specifically, KD025 significantly reduced peripheral blood levels of IL-17 and IL-23, two pro-inflammatory cytokines, and showed a correlation between changes in IL-17 levels and patients clinical scores. In addition, researchers observed a concurrent up-regulation of the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10 and a significant increase in the percentage of Foxp3+ CD4 T cells in blood, which diminish immuno-inflammatory response. Together, these findings demonstrated the potential of selective ROCK2 inhibition to modulate pro- and anti-inflammatory immune cell responses to treat psoriasis.

We have demonstrated the molecular mechanism of action by which ROCK2 inhibition with KD025 modulates the immune system to treat psoriasis, correlating with improvements in patients clinical scores and symptoms, said Alexandra Zanin-Zhorov, PhD, Vice President, Head of Immunology at Kadmon and corresponding author of the manuscript. These results are consistent with our previously published preclinical animal models and cell-based in vitro assays and provide further evidence of the importance of ROCK2 signaling in autoimmune diseases like psoriasis.

We have demonstrated the crucial role of the ROCK2 signaling pathway in rebalancing immune response in patients, further validating the therapeutic potential of KD025 in autoimmune disease, said Harlan W. Waksal, M.D., President and CEO at Kadmon. We hope to confirm these findings in our ongoing placebo-controlled Phase 2 study of KD025 in psoriasis, which will be carried out for a longer time period in a larger patient population.

The manuscript, titled Selective Oral ROCK2 Inhibitor Reduces Clinical Scores in Patients with Psoriasis Vulgaris and Normalizes Skin Pathology via Concurrent Regulation of IL-17 and IL-10, is available on the Journal of Immunology website here.

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Kadmon (KDMN) Announces Publication of Data on KD025 in Psoriasis Patients - StreetInsider.com

Katie Lowes is known for her role in the hit television show, Scandal, but what fans may not know is that the actress is living with psoriasis. Lowes chatted with Stylish to talk about her battle with the autoimmune disease, and how it has affected her life.

"I was 28 years old, I was engaged to my then boyfriend, now husband [actor Adam Shapiro], and we were planning our wedding, which can be a stressful occasion," Lowes, 35, tells Stylish. "I also booked Scandal, which was the biggest job I had ever booked and it was kind of a big break for me, and all eyes were on me in Hollywood. The combination of those things really caused my symptoms to come out for the first time and also grow."

In fact, her psoriasis symptoms typically, dry, itchy patches that can appear anywhere on your skin and flake became so severe she cancelled her engagement-photo shoot. After that, "I said to myself, 'Wow, this has gotten too far. Whatever denial I'm in, I'm actually canceling important, momentous life occasions due to something that's going on with me, and I need to really get a handle on it.'"

That's when she did her research, discovered she had psoriasis and changed her whole lifestyle. "It's a lot about water and weather," she explains. "Am I traveling somewhere that's humid, or am I traveling somewhere that's dry? Am I going to workout and do a hard sweat today or something lighter, like pilates? It's also about stress and diet for me. If I'm on vacation and eating pizza 500 times a day, that can cause a flare up."

Another thing she revamped? Her beauty bag. "For sure, I changed my skincare and beauty routine. I use all-natural beauty products and products for sensitive skin, because it is a little bit about the products you use." A few of her faves? EO Botanical Body Oil in French Lavender ($6, amazon.com), Original Sprout Scrumptious Baby Cream ($29, dermstore.com) and Crystal Essence Natural Mineral Roll-On Deodorant ($5, jet.com).

And now, she's partnering up with the National Psoriasis Foundation to help create awareness. "I feel like there's so much embarrassment and shame surrounding disease," Lowes tells Stylish of the condition that Kim Kardashian and LeAnn Rimes also battle. "It's something we don't talk about, and I'm just like, 'Well, here I am. I'm an actress in Hollywood, and I'm on TV, and people look at me, yes, and I have it.'" She collaborated with the foundation on psoriasisinsidestory.com, which, she says, "is about that inside monologue that goes on in your head about that shame and embarrassment, how you feel terrible and like you're not good enough. With the website you can talk to other people who are going through it, see what helps them and realize you are not alone."

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How Living With Psoriasis Changed 'Scandal' Star Katie Lowes' Life - Us Weekly