Psoriasis - Research

Research

Historically, agents used to treat psoriasis were discovered by experimentation or by accident. In contrast, current novel therapeutic agents are designed from a better understanding of the immune processes involved in psoriasis and by the specific targeting of molecular mediators. Examples can be seen in the use of biologics, which target T cells and TNF inhibitors.

Emerging clinical research has demonstrated the integral role of Janus kinase (JAK) proteins in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. As of 2010, two new oral JAK inhibitor drugs, ruxolitinib and tofacitinib (formerly called tasocitinib), have shown rapid and promising efficacy in Phase I/II trials with patients showing significant skin clearing within one week of beginning treatment. Ruxolitinib has completed Phase II clinical trials supplied as a topical cream.

Briakinumab is a human anti-IL-12/IL-23 monoclonal antibody directed against the shared p40 subunit of IL-12 and IL-23. Briakinumab is being developed by Abbott Laboratories in conjunction with Cambridge Antibody Technology for the treatment of multiple autoimmune diseases, including psoriasis. Abbott completed Phase III trials in 2010. Despite successful trials, in January 2011 Abbott withdrew their biologic drug application from United States and European regulatory offices.

Talarozole amplifies the effects of retinoic acid by inhibiting its metabolism. As of February 2009, it is undergoing clinical trials.

Research into antisense oligonucleotides carries the potential to provide novel therapeutic strategies for treating psoriasis. Antisense oligonucleotides would be used to down regulate key cellular proteins known to play a role in psoriatic pathogenesis including inflammatory proteins such as ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1), IL-2 and IL-8, cellular proliferation proteins like insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-IR) and epidermal growth factor and hyperangiogenesis vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

A novel boron-containing topical anti-inflammatory, AN2728, is currently being developed by Anacor Pharmaceuticals and is in Phase 2b trials for mild-to-moderate plaque type psoriasis. The molecule works by inhibiting PDE4 and reducing the production of TNF-alpha, a precursor of the inflammation associated with psoriasis, as well as other cytokines, including IL-12 and IL-23.

Noting that botulinum toxin has been shown to have an effect on inhibiting neurogenic inflammation, and evidence suggesting the role of neurogenic inflammation in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, the University of Minnesota has begun a clinical trial to follow up on the observation that patients treated with botulinum toxin for dystonia had dramatic improvement in psoriasis.

In 2004, Tas and Avci demonstrated cyclopamine’s clinical potential for the treatment of psoriasis and basal cell carcinoma in two preliminary proof of concept studies. By treating 31 psoriatic lesions in 7 patients, these authors asserted topical cyclopamine was more effective in the clinical and histological clearance of guttate and plaque psoriasis than the topical steroid clobetasol-17 propionate. Furthermore, they demonstrated concurrent application of cylopamine and clobetasol-17 propionate accelerated regression and clearance of selected lesions greater than cyclopamine alone, with clearance times as early as 48 hours. They assert cyclopamine inhibits the abnormal proliferation of epithelial cells, induces terminal differentiation, and is associated with the decreased presence of inflammatory cells, including CD41 lymphocytes.

On 27 August 2006, scientists led by Jeung-Hoon Lee created the synthetic lipids pseudoceramides, which are involved in skin cell growth, and could be used in treating skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, a form of eczema characterized by red, flaky and very itchy skin; psoriasis, and glucocorticoid-induced epidermal atrophy, in which the skin shrinks due to skin cell loss.

The International Federation of Psoriasis Associations (IFPA) supports research in the field of psoriasis. The IFPA is a non-profit organization made up of psoriasis associations from around the world. The Psoriasis International Network, a program of the Fondation René Touraine, is part of the IFPA.