Winter AAD: A rich exchange
From May/June 2006 Psoriasis Advance
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) annual meeting—the largest professional meeting of dermatologists in the United States—is always an important event for the National Psoriasis Foundation. It's an excellent opportunity to build alliances with the medical community, share knowledge, learn about the latest psoriasis research and communicate to others about the work we do.
At the AAD 64th annual meeting, held March 3-7 in San Francisco, the Psoriasis Foundation played an active role in a variety of ways, enhancing our partnership with the medical community and with our corporate partners.
 The National Psoriasis Foundation exhibit booth was a place of lively interaction, with
medical professionals wanting to learn more about the Foundation. Resources such as Psoriasis Advance, our peer-reviewed medical journal Psoriasis Forum and educational booklets were eagerly accepted by conference attendees.
Our annual corporate partner meetings brought together various pharmaceutical companies to invest in our plans for joint initiatives on behalf of the psoriasis community.
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Psoriasis Foundation President and CEO Gail Zimmerman is pictured with Steven Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., left, and Clay J. Cockerell, M.D., past president of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Dr. Feldman delivered the Clarence S. Livingood Lectureship at AAD's 64th Annual Meeting in San Francisco.
Dr. Feldman donated the $5,000 honorarium that accompanies the Livingood Lectureship to the Psoriasis Foundation in recognition of its patient education and advocacy activities. Galderma Laboratories, supporter of Dr. Feldman's Center for Dermatology Research, matched the $5,000
check, doubling the gift to the Foundation.
Dr. Feldman is professor of dermatology, pathology and public health services at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. |
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We hosted a medical reception to recognize and thank members of the medical community who
have supported us throughout the year.
A three-hour session on psoriasis was chaired by Steven Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., from Wake Forest
University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C. This session focused on the wide variety of
psoriasis treatment options. Dr. Feldman encouraged doctors to be empathetic, utilize materials
from the Psoriasis Foundation, and be prepared to find the right treatment or combination of
treatments that will best help patients.
Gail M. Zimmerman, president and CEO of the Psoriasis Foundation, spoke at the psoriasis
symposium. She discussed how the Psoriasis Foundation works with medical professionals as partners in treatment.
Liz Horn, Ph.D., Psoriasis Foundation research director, presented a research poster—a first for the Foundation—on important survey panel information about the burden of the disease. She also spoke to the Association of Professors of Dermatology and the Dermatology Teachers Exchange Group about the Chief Residents' Meeting, the Foundation's medical education program for dermatology residents.
Psoriasis research at AAD
Current research is presented on posters at AAD, and this year, more than 100 posters focused
specifically on psoriasis. We've included highlights below, with the name of the drug company at the end of each segment. You can continue to track the research by visiting the drug companies' Web sites, or our research pipeline.
Drugs in development
One of the most exciting posters presented data after one year of the phase II trial for CNTO
1275. CNTO 1275 is a new, injectable biologic that inhibits the cytokines IL-12 and IL-23
[cytokines are chemical messengers in the immune system which are responsible for skin
inflammation, such as in psoriasis]. Participants in the trial received placebo or one of four doses of CNT0 1275: 50 milligrams (mg) once, 100 mg once, four weekly injections of 50 mg (200
mg total) or four weekly injections of 100 mg (400 mg total). At week 12, a 75% improvement
in psoriasis severity scores was achieved by 52% (50 mg), 59% (100 mg), 67% (200 mg) and 81% (400 mg) of trial participants, respectively. Participants received an additional dose at week 16 if they did not achieve a complete response (75% clearing), and participants in the placebo group received 100 mg of CNTO 1275 at week 20. At 52 weeks, psoriasis had improved, the duration of response was prolonged and the treatment was well-tolerated. (Drug company: Centocor)
Psoriasis Foundation Research Director Liz
Horn, Ph.D., presents the Foundation poster
documenting the burden of psoriasis. |
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Documenting the burden of disease
For the first time, the National Psoriasis Foundation presented a poster at AAD documenting the
burden of the disease, titled "Psoriasis Impacts Daily Life and Carries a Substantial Burden: National Psoriasis Foundation Survey Panels." (Download poster in PDF format)
This poster showed the impact of psoriasis on patients using data from our survey panel program, including that nearly half of respondents (44%) report their psoriasis to be a large problem in everyday life. |
The Psoriasis Foundation uses this information to educate medical professionals, insurers, legislators, the media and the public. The Foundation was also a co-author on four other research posters.
Research from Cardiff University showed that psoriasis can have a significant impact on relatives
or partners of patients. More than half (57%) described psychological pressures including anxiety
and worry about the patients' fate. A study from Hong Kong showed that many in the public
are not knowledgeable about psoriasis. Nearly one-quarter (22%) did not know about psoriasis,
and more than one-third (41%) believed psoriasis to be contagious. |
Phase II data was released on CC-10004, an oral, anti-inflammatory compound for treatment
of severe plaque psoriasis. Nearly three-quarters (74%) of patients achieved improvement in their psoriasis symptoms. More than half (53%) achieved reductions in epidermal (skin) thickness. (Celgene)
Phase III data was released on ISA247, an anti-inflammatory agent, indicating improved symptoms, severity and daily impact of psoriasis on participants by week 12. This response was maintained through week 24 and was well-tolerated. (Isotechnika)
Phase III data was released for infliximab (brand name Remicade) in psoriasis, showing patients receiving infliximab had a rapid, significant improvement and a long-term response. Findings suggested dosing every eight weeks achieved a greater long-term skin clearance than dosing "as needed." At week 50, the majority of patients receiving the 5 mg/kg dose on the eight-week maintenance therapy regimen achieved a 75% improvement in psoriasis severity scores. (Centocor)
Data on adalimumab (brand name Humira) in psoriatic arthritis patients indicated that psoriasis skin symptoms improved after 24 weeks. Adalimumab also slowed joint damage caused by psoriatic arthritis as measured by X-ray images. (Abbott)
Data was released on bexarotene gel 1% showing it increases the effectiveness of narrow-band ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy in patients with psoriasis. Side effects were minimal. This gel reduces the thickness of psoriasis plaques, making the UVB light more effective. (Ligand Pharmaceuticals)
Drugs currently approved for psoriasis
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Working with DNA
The Psoriasis Foundation also participated in the 24th Annual Convention of the Dermatology
Nurses' Association (DNA), held in March, in San Francisco. We hosted an exhibit to distribute
materials to nurses, and displayed our poster on the burden of psoriasis. The Foundation
cosponsored with DNA the Joan Shelk Fundamentals of Phototherapy WorkshopTM. Working with nurses is essential in our outreach to the medical professional community.
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A phase IV study of acitretin (brand name Soriatane) showed that lower doses were effective, and the drug was well-tolerated in moderate to severe psoriasis patients. Participants in this study received 25 mg acitretin daily for 24 weeks or 25 mg of acitretin daily for 12 weeks followed by a "step down" dose of 12 weeks. This provides evidence that lower doses of acitretin can be used as a maintenance therapy. (Connetics)
Data was presented showing that efalizumab (brand name Raptiva) is very effective in treating psoriasis of the palms and soles. Data was also presented showing efalizumab appears safe for up to three years of continuous weekly therapy. (Genentech)
Data was presented suggesting that etanercept (brand name Enbrel) continues to be effective and safe through 2.5 years of continuous therapy. (Amgen Wyeth)
Data on calcipotriene/betamethasone dipropionate (brand name Taclonex) showed this two-compound product used topically once daily is very effective and well-tolerated for
treating psoriasis. The product was also effective in decreasing itching. (Warner Chilcott)
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