makeitgoaway
09-13-2006, 08:13 AM
Last Update: 9/13/2006 9:03:08 AM
Click here to view the news video (http://www.13wham.com/mediacenter/?videoId=179857)
Easing Psoriasis
(Liz Bonis) -- Two new national trials are now underway, testing breakthrough therapies that might clear up the very painful skin condition, psoriasis.
The disease causes a red rash to spread over much of the body. There is no cure for psoriasis, But two new areas of research are showing promise.
The first has to do with topical agents other than steroids; the second are very precise targeted therapies. Dermatologist Dr. Pranav Sheth is testing some of these targeted “biologic” therapies.
“The new biologic therapies specifically target proteins or cells, unlike the traditional therapies that attack all components of the immune system, these are targeted to specific cells,” he said.
The approach appears to help patients like Michael Henry ease the rash and the pain. Henry said the rash once covered about 80 percent of his body.
“Even like lying down for me was hell on earth,” he said.
Sheth refers to the topical agents being tested as “immune modulators.”
He explained, “An immune modulator is an agent that can control a portion of the immune system, without suppressing the whole immune system.”
Some of these are expected on the market as early as next year.
Click here to view the news video (http://www.13wham.com/mediacenter/?videoId=179857)
Easing Psoriasis
(Liz Bonis) -- Two new national trials are now underway, testing breakthrough therapies that might clear up the very painful skin condition, psoriasis.
The disease causes a red rash to spread over much of the body. There is no cure for psoriasis, But two new areas of research are showing promise.
The first has to do with topical agents other than steroids; the second are very precise targeted therapies. Dermatologist Dr. Pranav Sheth is testing some of these targeted “biologic” therapies.
“The new biologic therapies specifically target proteins or cells, unlike the traditional therapies that attack all components of the immune system, these are targeted to specific cells,” he said.
The approach appears to help patients like Michael Henry ease the rash and the pain. Henry said the rash once covered about 80 percent of his body.
“Even like lying down for me was hell on earth,” he said.
Sheth refers to the topical agents being tested as “immune modulators.”
He explained, “An immune modulator is an agent that can control a portion of the immune system, without suppressing the whole immune system.”
Some of these are expected on the market as early as next year.