Category Archives: Psoriasis

Weve been getting a lot of emails from our subscribers about OWC Pharmaceutical Research Corp (OTCMKTS: OWCP). We will be the first ones to say that the stock has sold off much more than we expected it would. What weve witnessed is the company almost giving up all of its 2017 gains.

While many subscribers got in last year when we first alerted them to the company last October, new subscribers are sitting with losses have gotten in this year. As we take a closer look, nothing fundamentally has changed to alter our bull thesis. Matter of fact, the pullback looks to be a gift to those wanting a long-term exposure to OWCP.

In looking at the chart, you see the big spike to $3 and then the retracement down to the key $1 support level. When the $1 support level broke, we feel that some nervous longs bailed and the shorts piled on due to the delay in the annual report being released. Delays are all too common with small caps like OWCP, especially when the company is based in Israel and the reporting is done in America. Getting all the paperwork to the right parties over multiple time zones can and does lead to many delays.

This type of selloff is not unusual at this stage of the biotech spectrum. As weve said before, we believe that OWCP could be the nextGW Pharmaceuticals PLC- ADR (NASDAQ:GWPH). GWPH saw the same thing happen to its stock price from the middle of 2015 to March 2016. However, it took only one day for shares to jump over 100% after the company delivered positive news on its cannabis-derived drug. From then on, its been nothing but north for GWPHs share price.

We believe OWCP could be setting the market up with its psoriasis cream just like GWPH did its drugEpidiolex. We also believe that many investors have failed to realize how big an issue psoriasis really is. Weve included some pictures here that show how serious it is (pardon the graphic images).

Psoriasis has huge market potential for OWCP as there is no known cure. It is an autoimmune disease that causes red, scaly patches to appear on the skin, and can be associated with other serious health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease and depression. Skin cells in patients with psoriasis grow at an abnormally fast rate, causing a buildup of lesions that tend to burn and itch. While the real cause of psoriasis is not known, genetics are believed to play a major role in its development. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, psoriasis affects 7.5 million people inthe United States.

The latest news from OWCP regarding its psoriasis cream may have let the markets down as many participants have a short term outlook.The company claimed in the press release that after the application of its cannabinoid-based cream formulation, there was up to 70% improvement in a variety of inflammation markers directly associated to Psoriasis. In addition, the company stated that after obtaining the results, OWC Pharmaceuticals scientific team decided to expand the size and scope of its clinical study.The news was indeed positive, but these types of studies and efficacy tests take time.

Currently trading with a market cap of $104 million, we believe that biopharma plays like OWCP have the greatest potential for cannabis investors.There are only a handful ofpublicly-traded companies focused on cannabinoid-based, pharmaceutical development for investors to bet on. In looking for the right companies, probably the best place in the world for cannabis research is Israel, of which OWCP is the best bet among these companies. OWCP owns its IP, has a strong management team and advisory board, and hashuge potential with not only its psoriasis cream, but also itssublingual tablet and itsmultiple myeloma candidate. We expect some major developments to hit the tape over the coming weeks/months that will reward OWCP and its shareholders.

We will be updating our subscribers as soon as we know more. For the latest updates on OWCP, sign up below!

Disclosure: We have no position in OWCP or GWPH and have not been compensated for this article.

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What's Happening With OWC Pharmaceutical Research Corp (OTCMKTS: OWCP)? - Insider Financial

Home Skin Health Cases of severe psoriasis may be gender specific: Study

Our skin is very important to us. Its the first thing people see and it is often indicative of our health. Its not only soft and supple, but also acts as our first line of defense against the outside world. Some people are plagued with skin problems, however, psoriasis being one of the more unique and difficult to manage. According to a new study, it seems to occur more commonly in men, which goes against what was previous thought about the condition.

Psoriasis is a common skin disorder that affects the life cycle of skin cells. It results in cells building up rapidly on the surface, giving it the appearance of being thick, having silvery scales, and being excessively dry with red patches. It can also cause agonizing pain to those affected. Psoriasis is considered a chronic autoimmune disorder, which means the bodys own immune system is attacking itself, and in this case, its attacking the skin cells. There are many different types of psoriasis, and here is a list of some of the more common ones:

Researchers compiled and reviewed data from more than 5,400 people in Sweden with the common skin disease and found that women had a significantly lower rate of severe psoriasis than men. This finding held true for all age groups and for all parts of the body, with the exception of the head.

The discovery that mens psoriasis is often more serious helps explain a gender gap, with more men than women seeking psoriasis treatment, said study senior author Marcus Schmitt-Egenolf, a researcher at Umea Universitys Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine.

This additional information on one of the most common skin disorders that plague men and women can help with management of severe psoriasis and its comorbidities.

Related: Home remedies to soothe your psoriasis

Related Reading:

Psoriasis diet: What foods to eat and what foods to avoid?

Psoriasis symptoms reduced with weight loss

https://consumer.healthday.com/diseases-and-conditions-information-37/psoriasis-news-621/men-more-prone-to-severe-psoriasis-study-721036.html http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriasis/basics/symptoms/con-20030838

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Cases of severe psoriasis may be gender specific: Study - Bel Marra Health

Dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry offers her quick tips for treating dandruff, hair loss and more.

In the midst of a neverending questfor healthyhair, we tend to forget about the scalp.

How our hair grows, retains moisture and looks overall is contingent on the state of its roots, so now's the time to look beyond your strands. Regardless of where you're at in yourpersonal journey, staying in the know about most common scalp conditions could save you from future bad days that may require professional help.

RELATED: How To Relieve Scalp Pain When Tapping Your Braids Isn't Enough

Keep reading for a quick refresher on five of them, with expert tips from Dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry.

RELATED: How One Salon Pro Approaches Three Common Scalp Issues

Dandruff

According to Dr. Henry, Seborrheic dermatitis is one of the most common causes of dandruff.

"It presents as thick greasy scale on the scalp," she adds. "It is caused by a yeast like fungus called Malassezia. This yeast causes scalp inflammation and scaling."

Although there is no cure for this condition, regular treatment will keep symptoms at bay. Henry recommends using the Dove DermaCare Scalp Dryness & Itch Relief Shampoo ($5, target.com) since it contains pyrithione zinc.

This ingredient specifically inhibits yeast growth, while soothing and protecting the scalp.

Psoriasis

Although the cause of psoriasis isn't well known, it's believed to be an abnormality of the immune system.

"This overactive immune system causes the scaling characteristic of psoriasis," adds Dr. Henry. "Red plaques with silvery scales areoften seen on the scalps of psoriasis patients."

Like dandruff, there is no clear-cut cure, but topical steroids or injectable immune modulating biologic medications from a dermatologist are the best forms of treatment.

Sore Scalp

For starters, scalp pain or itch should never be overlooked. A number of fungal or bacterial infections can make it sore to the touch, so make a proper diagnosis the priority.

Henry emphasizes making an appointment with the dermatologist if symptoms persist. Simple enough, right?

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Ringworm

Although this condition, caused by a fungus called Tinea, is seen more often in children and those with pets, you're still not immune from experiencing it.

If you're not sure what it looks like, keep an eye out for scaly, patchy hair loss.

Dr. Henry adds, "When left untreated, it can become tender. When it is widespread, the inflammation can be so great that some patients have inflamed lymph nodes on the head and neck."

Topical treatments such as Lamisil or grisiofulvin will eliminate the nasty symptoms.

Hair Loss

The most common type of hair loss for Black women is traction alopecia, caused by poor styling practices, including tight hair styles.

"In the early stages it is completely reversible," says Henry. "However, with time, it becomes permanent and incurable (without hair transplantation)."

Another common cause of hair loss is the more permanent CCCA (central, centrifugal, cicatricial alopecia), which can also be halted when caught early.

Besides taking breaks from tension-filled styles (braids, cornrows, ponytails), be sure to incorporate scalp-specific products into your daily routine.

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How To Treat The 5 Most Common Scalp Conditions - Essence.com

eMaxHealth

More Men Get Psoriasis Than Women And Here Is How To Reverse It eMaxHealth A Swedish study found that men are more prone to psoriasis than women. The study was limited to patients with moderate to severe psoriasis in need of systemic treatment managed by dermatology specialists.The study included 5,438 people, 59.8% were ...

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More Men Get Psoriasis Than Women And Here Is How To Reverse It - eMaxHealth

By Robert Preidt

HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, April 6, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Severe psoriasis is much more common in men than women, a new study from Sweden reports.

Researchers reviewed data from more than 5,400 people in Sweden with the common skin disease. The study found that women had a significantly lower rate of severe psoriasis than men.

This was true for all age groups and for all parts of the body except the head, where severity scores were about the same for both sexes.

The discovery that men's psoriasis is often more serious helps explain a gender gap, with more men than women seeking psoriasis treatment, said study senior author Marcus Schmitt-Egenolf. He is a researcher at Umea University's Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine.

"These findings should motivate a gender perspective in the management of severe psoriasis and its comorbidities, such as cardiovascular and metabolic disease," Schmitt-Egenolf said in a university news release.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease. Unlike severe psoriasis, most autoimmune diseases such as lupus and multiple sclerosis are more common in women than in men.

The study was published recently in the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology.

WebMD News from HealthDay

SOURCE: Umea University, news release

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Men More Prone to Severe Psoriasis: Study - WebMD

Experts in the field of psoriatic arthritis have long faced a chicken-and-egg question: Can you have psoriatic arthritis without havingpsoriasisfirst?Some say yes. Some say no. Others say yes and no.

"There is a lot of debate going on," says Ted Mikuls, MD, professor of internal medicine in the division of rheumatology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Like psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, meaning the immune systemattacks a part of the body. With psoriasis, the immune system attacks the skin (leading to telltaleraised red or silvery patches), while psoriatic arthritis attacks the joints (causing stiffness, pain, and swelling).About 80-85% of people who develop psoriatic arthritis have psoriasis first, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. For the remaining 15-20%,arthritis precedes the skin condition.

"It is much, much more common to have the psoriasis first," says Marcy OKoon Moss, senior director for consumer health at the Arthritis Foundation in Atlanta.

But the question remains: If a patient first experiencesjoint symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, does that mean they don'thave psoriasisor just that their psoriasishasnt been detected yet?

RELATED: The 5 Types of Psoriatic Arthritis You Need to Know About

Certainly it is at least partly a detection issue, says Dr.Mikuls. Existing psoriasis might be largely invisible, such as hiding in your belly buttonor behind your ears. "Skin psoriasis can be very, very subtle and appear in places we dont look at closely," hesays.

But you alsocant rule out the possibility that psoriatic arthritis can occur without psoriasis, he adds. You dont need to have been diagnosed with skin psoriasis to receive a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis. Doctors can make a diagnosis based on a family history or personal history (such as if you had psoriasis but its cleared up), says OKoon Moss.It can also go the other way: A 2015 study found that 10-15% of people with psoriasis had psoriatic arthritis that simply had not been detected.

Another thing to consider is that people who have both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis dont necessarily have the same degree of symptoms; their psoriasis can be mild while their arthritis is bad, or vice versa. "There can be a real disconnect between the severity of your skin involvement and your arthritis," says Dr. Mikuls.

Clearly, more research is needed on this topic to be able to fully understand whether or not you can have psoriatic arthritis without any psoriasis. But Dr. Mikuls stresses the importance of speaking to your doctor if you're experiencing symptoms of either condition, since getting a correct diagnosis is critical for your treatment.A few years ago, he explains, a 100%-accurate diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis may not have mattered quite so much. Today, though, it's very important."In the past, we would have said treatments [for different types of arthritis] overlap," he explains. "But more and more were learning that [treatments] really are uniquely different in many ways."

Take DMARDs (disease modifying antirheumatic drugs), for example. Dr. Mikuls explains that they were an earlier psoriatic arthritis treatment that might also work for other forms of arthritis. But newer psoriatic arthritis treatments, like biologics, may work for psoriatic arthritis but not other forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

And not all cases of psoriatic arthritis are the same, nor do all treatments work the same way for everyone. "The lesson learned in rheumatology is that patients dont always present the same way," says Dr. Mikuls.

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Is It Possible to Have Psoriatic Arthritis Without Psoriasis? - Health.com

Updates in Psoriasis Treatment: New Data from Vienna Healio Plaque psoriasis is a debilitating, noncurable autoimmune disorder, having a significant impact on quality of life, associated with depression, anxiety, social isolation, unemployment, and suicide. Various therapies, such as topical formulations and ...

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Updates in Psoriasis Treatment: New Data from Vienna - Healio

Dr. Lebwohl

Certain psoriasis therapies contribute to the development of skin cancers, while other treatments protect against skin cancers, and still others have not been shown to increase or reduce skin cancers.

Since the description of psoriasis, it has been known that sun exposure makes the disease better, but it also causes skin cancers, says Mark Lebwohl, M.D., a professor and chair of the Department of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.

In an interview with Dermatology Times, following his presentation on psoriasis at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) annual meeting in March, Dr. Lebwohl also notes that when broadband ultraviolet (UV) phototherapy was introduced, by chance, it omitted most wavelengths under 300 nm, which happen to be the wavelengths that are the most carcinogenic.

A 25-year review published in the Archives of Dermatology in 1981 reported no increase in skin cancers among patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis who were treated with broadband UVB phototherapy.

You would expect narrowband UVB would be even safer that broadband, Dr. Lebwohl says. At least so far, it appears that narrowband UVB does not contribute to skin cancer. Nonetheless, in patients who are cancer-prone, we are cautious about the use of phototherapy.

On the other hand, PUVA (photochemotherapy) causes a dramatic increase in squamous cell carcinomas, and after many years, an increase in malignant melanomas.

Oral therapies

The oral therapy first used for psoriasis was methotrexate.

Now that we have access to registry data, it appears that the drug does cause an increase in skin cancers, specifically squamous cell carcinoma, Dr. Lebwohl says.

The transplant drug cyclosporine, which was subsequently introduced for the treatment of psoriasis, definitely causes an increase in skin cancers, Dr. Lebwohl adds.

An Australian study published in the journal Transplantation in 1996 found that among kidney transplant patients treated with cyclosporine, the most common cause of death was metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.

For transplant candidates who stay on cyclosporine, the frequency of skin cancers keeps rising year after year, Dr. Lebwohl says. In fact, in patients who have been on immunosuppressive transplant medication for 20 years, the frequency of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin approaches 50%.

The next drug introduced to treat psoriasis was the precursor to acitretin, called etretinate.

That drug has actually been shown to be clearly protective against the development of skin cancers, Dr. Lebwohl conveys. Thus, in a patient prone to acquiring basal cells and squamous cells, taking acitretin results in many fewer skin cancers. But once the patient stops taking the retinoid, the skin cancer count rebounds.

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Psoriasis and skin cancer - ModernMedicine

PETACH TIKVA, Israel, April 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

OWC Pharmaceutical Research Corp. (OWCP), ("OWC" or the "Company"), an Israeli-based research company engaged in the development of cannabinoid-based therapies targeting a variety of different medical conditions and disorders, today announced it has received expressions of interest from the scientific and medical communities world-wide as a result of its recently announce positive preliminary clinical efficacy tests results of its topical cream to treat Psoriasis.

(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/458036/OWC_Logo.jpg )

OWCP's scientific team, led by the renowned Dr. Yehuda Baruch, the Company's Chief Science Officer and OWC's Director of Research and Regulatory Affairs, and former Director of Israel's Ministry of Health Medical Management Division, previously reported trial results and concluded that post-application of OWC's unique, active cannabinoid-based topical cream formulation, there was up to 70% improvement in a variety of inflammation markers directly associated with Psoriasis. These promising results have led the Company to expand the size and scope of its clinical study and has led directly to OWC's receipt of continuing inquiries and expressions of interest from researchers world-wide for more information on the cannabinoid-based topical cream for treatment of psoriasis and our product's anticipated availability for use in the market.

The Company actively protects its IP and will release the final results, relevant protocols and clinical data after the completion of the full BIO-DATA IP PROTECTION.

Mr. Ziv Turner, OWC's, Managing Director, commented, "As soon as we announced the efficacy results of our pre-clinical psoriasis treatment, OWC has continued to receive active inquiries from a variety of leading international scientific institutions in Countries like Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary and more, that adopted or about to adopt MMJ bills. We are currently in negotiations for scientific and marketing cooperation agreements. In addition, we realistically expect product readiness for our topical cream in early Q3 2017 and, subject to regulatory approvals, federal and states laws we will be able to offer our topical cream to those who suffer from psoriasis."

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes red, scaly patches to appear on the skin, and can be associated with other serious health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease and depression. Skin cells in patients with psoriasis grow at an abnormally fast rate, causing a buildup of lesions that tend to burn and itch. While the real cause of psoriasis is not known, genetics are believed to play a major role in its development. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, psoriasis affects 7.5 million people inthe United States.

A wide and in-depth multi-layer clinical study on Psoriasis and psychological aspects is targeted to start next year, 2018, after collection of data from patients to carefully plan the targets of such a unique study that will show a combination of cannabinoids treatments for a specific disease. The study is carefully managed by Dr.Yehuda Baruch, the Company's CSO & Director of Research and Regulatory Affairs. Dr. Baruch comments, "We started safety phase at the hospital by this month, April 2017, and already planning a unique multi-center efficacy study. This is the natural development of the next generation of safe and tested cannabinoids treatments".

AboutOWC Pharmaceutical Research Corp.

OWC Pharmaceutical Research Corp., through its wholly-owned Israeli subsidiary, One World Cannabis Ltd., (collectively "OWC" or the "Company") conducts medical research and clinical trials to develop cannabis-based pharmaceuticals and treatments for conditions including multiple myeloma, psoriasis, fibromyalgia, PTSD, and migraines. OWC is also developing unique delivery systems for the effective delivery and dosage of medical cannabis. All OWC research is conducted at leading Israeli hospitals and scientific institutions, and led by internationally renowned investigators.

The Company's Research Division is focused on pursuing clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of cannabinoids for the treatment of various medical conditions, while its Consulting Division is dedicated to helping governments and companies navigate complex international cannabis regulatory frameworks. For more information, visit:http://www.owcpharma.com/

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Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this press release, which are not purely historical, are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, filing patent applications, product development, and business strategy. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with new projects and development stage companies. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in OWC Pharmaceutical Research Corp. (OWCP) periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact Information: InIsrael: Mordechai Bignitz Chairman and CEO Email:mordechai.bignitz@owcpharma.com Tel: +972-(0)3-770-8526

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OWC Pharmaceutical Research Corp. Announces World-Wide Expression of Interest in its Cannabis-based Topical ... - Yahoo Finance

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Spherix Global Insights has just released the results of two independent surveys of 200 rheumatologists and dermatologists about the evolving practice patterns in the management of psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The surveys were fielded in March.

In both studies, specialists report that the use of IL-17 agents, such as Novartis' Cosentyx and Lilly's Taltz is increasing. In the psoriasis market, where both drugs are approved, Taltz is making big gains and is expected to catch up to Cosentyx within the next two quarters. Overall, a slightly higher percentage of dermatologists would choose Cosentyx over Taltz if they were limited to just one IL-17 drug, but as Taltz continues to penetrate the PsO market, a preference battle is likely to emerge. An interesting finding in the psoriasis study is the impact of the IL-17 class on Stelara - among those planning to increase their use of IL-17s, more than a third predict corresponding decreases in Janssen's IL-12/23 inhibitor.

Studies estimate that up to 30% of patients with psoriasis will have an arthritic component to their disease and for these patients, the co-management between rheumatologists and dermatologists can add a layer of complexity. Less than one in five of the surveyed rheumatologists agree that dermatologists refer these patients at the first sign of joint involvement; far more agree that they first attempt to manage PsA and only refer if joint pain is not controlled. For now, Cosentyx has the advantage of a dual indication, but Taltz is likely to snag a PsA indication soon, placing the two on an even playing field.

While much of the focus has been on the IL-17 class, the solid first line position of AbbVie's Humira in both PsA and PsO cannot be overlooked. Not only is Humira deeply entrenched, but AbbVie is selected by the highest percent of both rheumatologists and dermatologists as the manufacturer offering the best support and Humira is the biologic most frequently requested by patients. Overall, however, patient requests are most frequently related to preference for an oral agent. Having an oral formulation is one of the most desirable characteristics in new products and is the leading advantage for Celgene's Otezla which continues to gain share in more mild-to-moderate disease. While 17% of the rheumatologists do report off-label experience with Pfizer's Xeljanz in PsA, the lack of an indication for psoriasis may limit this oral JAK inhibitor from gaining widespread use as the majority of rheumatologists prefer to use agents with a dual PsA/PsO indication.

Moving forward, it looks as though dermatology is becoming the new rheumatology. With increased comfort prescribing biologics and a plethora of new agents to choose from, it is no surprise that more than 80% of the surveyed dermatologists report that their use of biologics has increased in the past year. Added to this, the recent approval of Sanofi-Regeneron's Dupixent for atopic dermatitis expands the biologics into other key dermatology indications.

About Spherix Global Insights Spherix Global Insights is a business intelligence and market research company, specializing in renal, autoimmune, neurologic and rare disease markets. Our aim is to apply our commercial experience and unique relationships within core specialty markets to translate data into insight, enabling our clients to make smarter business decisions.

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Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Markets Undergo Big Changes as IL-17s, such as Novartis' Cosentyx and Lilly's ... - Yahoo Finance