Psoriasis Group Responds to 'Stunning' Results of CNTO 1275 Clinical Trial
KENSINGTON, Md., February 07, 2007 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Psoriasis Cure Now," a nonprofit patient advocacy group, this evening responded to results of a clinical trial of CNTO 1275 being published in the February 8 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. In the Phase Two trial, 81 percent of patients receiving four weekly 90 mg doses of CNTO 1275 achieved at least 75 percent improvement in their psoriasis, as measured by the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI 75). In addition, 52 percent achieved PASI 90, and 20% achieved total skin clearance (PASI 100). Also, of those who received just a single, 90 mg dose, 59% achieved PASI 75 and 16% achieved PASI 100, a standard of total clearance that many psoriasis patients have given up ever reaching.
"The notion that a single, simple injection of this experimental treatment wipes psoriasis off a significant proportion of test subjects is a stunning development that will restore hope to even the most frustrated and cynical psoriasis patients among us," said Michael Paranzino, president of Psoriasis Cure Now. "There are many people who have had psoriasis for decades who have all but given up the thought that their skin might ever be clear again. Let's hope this treatment proves safe because it would seem to offer a powerful new treatment option if it can win FDA approval in coming years."
Last week, Psoriasis Cure Now reported that more than 70 potential treatments, including CNTO 1275, are in the research pipeline. That full list is available on the Psoriasis Cure Now website here: psoriasis-cure-now.org . CNTO 1275 is a monoclonal antibody that targets the cytokines interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interleukin-23 (IL-23), which are believed to play a role in inflammatory diseases.
Last July, Psoriasis Cure Now released a podcast that discussed anti-IL-12/23 treatments; that free podcast is available via iTunes or here: psoriasis-cure-now.org . In the clinical trial, serious adverse events (requiring hospitalization) were observed in four percent of patients receiving CNTO 1275 compared with one percent of patients receiving placebo. CNTO 1275 is produced by Centocor, which also makes Remicade, approved for the treatment of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and other diseases. Centocor's press release reports that the company is moving forward to Phase Three testing of CNTO 1275. |
