DMARDs and Biologics

Information about DMARDs and Biologics in the treatment of psoriasis.

Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) are a class of drugs which can stop the progression of rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis. These drugs often have serious side effects, but given the importance of not letting arthritis damage joints, the possible complications are often acceptable (especially when the choice is between being able to move and not moving). These drugs may, in some cases of severe psoriasis with or without arthritis, also be useful in reducing the skin symptoms of the disease.

Biologics are drugs (or devices) which are produced by living organisms. These are, these days, typically proteins. This area of drug research is where most of the psoriasis drugs under development are coming from. Creating specialized proteins which interfere with specific parts of the human immune system suspected to play a role in creating psoriasis symptoms.

Reviewed Treatments and Information

Methotrexate (MTX)

Unreviewed Treatments and Information

ABX-IL8 (made by Abgenix)

Homepage
March 5, 2001, Abgenix Press Release

May 14, 2002, Press Release detailing the discontinuation of research

Abgenix Cancels Clinical Trials for Psoriasis Drug (May 15, 2002)
New Treatments on the Horizon for Psoriasis

Amevive™ (alefacept, LFA3TIP — made by Biogen)

May 25, 1999 Press Release
Psoriasis Drugs Prepare to Go Head-to-Head (June 15, 2001)
Mixed Ending to Stocks’ Rough Day (June 14, 2002)
FDA Committee Endorses New Psoriasis Treatment (May 24, 2002)
Biogen’s SEC Filings
FDA: Biogen’s Amevive carries infection risk (May 22, 2002)
Lou Dobbs Moneyline (May 23, 2002)
New Treatments on the Horizon for Psoriasis
Psoriasis Relief, at a Price (March 4, 2003)
Cincinatti Enquirer Business Highlights (May 27, 2002)

Anti-CD4

New Developments in the Treatment of Psoriasis (2001)

Anti-IL2R (Simulect®, basiliximab)

“Successful treatment of severe generalized pustular psoriasis with basiliximab (interleukin-2 receptor blocker)” Salim et al. Br J Dermatol 2000 Nov;143(5):1121-2.
“Successful treatment of severe psoriasis with basiliximab, an interleukin-2 receptor monoclonal antibody.” Owen and Harrison Clin Exp Dermatol 2000 May;25(3):195-7.

Biologic Therapy for Psoriasis from the Archives of Dermatology

Biospace News: Psoriasis

Enbrel (etanercept — made by Immunex Corporation, marketed by Amgen and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals)

Homepage
National Psoriasis Foundation — Fact Sheet

National Psoriasis Foundation — Biologic Drugs
Enbrel Effective in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis and Psoriasis
Immunex Offers Data That Enbrel Has Broader Potential (November 12, 2001)
Strong Enbrel Sales Help Immunex Match Estimates (October 17, 2001)
Drug Helps Psoriatic Arthritis Patients

The Heartbreak of Psoriasis

HU1124

HumaT4 (Made by Intracel)

HuMax-CD4 (Made by Genmab A/S)

HuMax-IL15 (Made by Genmab A/S)

IDEC-114 (made by BIogen IDEC)

Home page
New Treatments on the Horizon for Psoriasis

MEDI-507 (siplizumab — made by MedImmune)

Psoriasis Drugs Prepare to Go Head-to-Head (June 15, 2001)

Monoclonals Get Slammed

No More Itching in N’Awlins

P38 Kinase Inhibitors

Psoriasis Drugs Prepare to Go Head-to-Head (June 15, 2001)

Psoriasis Relief, at a Price

Raptiva™ (efalizumab, anti-CD11a, used to be called Xanelim — made by Genentech and XOMA)

Important note! On April 10th, 2009, the National Psoriasis Foundation sent out the following email:

The maker of the psoriasis drug Raptiva (efalizumab) is pulling the drug from the U.S. market because of its association with a rare and usually fatal brain infection. Psoriasis patients taking Raptiva should immediately talk to their doctor about finding an alternative treatment, says the National Psoriasis Foundation. Stopping Raptiva abruptly could lead to a severe psoriasis flare, so patients should be sure to talk to their doctors before they stop treatment.

Genentech, the drug’s maker, has announced a phased withdrawal of the drug, which is associated with a higher risk of developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), which can attack people with weakened immune systems.

Genentech researchers say that Raptiva’s effects typically wear off by 12 weeks after the patient’s last dose. “The risk of developing PML after 12 weeks should be greatly reduced,” said Bruce Bebo, Ph.D., Psoriasis Foundation research director. “Raptiva has a fairly short life in the immune system once the patient stops using the drug.”

The email included a link to Genentech’s press release about this very important news. The National Psoriasis Foundation itself doesn’t have much to say.

Genentech Home page
PROHOST’s Version of the March 5, 2001 Information
New Treatments on the Horizon for Psoriasis
Cincinatti Enquirer Business Digest (April 6, 2002)

Remicade® (infliximab — made by Centocor)

Remicade
Made by Centocor Ortho Biotech
Infliximab Effective for Psoriatic Arthritis
New Treatments on the Horizon for Psoriasis
Press Release

Say Farewell to the Psoriasis Heartbreak

Solid Gold Sales

Xerecept® (hCRF, Neurobiological Technologies, Inc.)

Zenapax® (anti-CD25, daclizumab — made by PDLI)

“Successful in vivo blockade of CD25 (high-affinity interleukin 2 receptor) on T cells by administration of humanized anti-Tac antibody to patients with psoriasis” Krueger et al. J Am Acad Dermatol 2000 Sep;43(3):448-58.
Research on use of Zenapax® for psoriasis halted