An interesting little study that looked at the lengthening of time between shots of Humira (adalimumab) and Enbrel (etanercept) it concludes that it is safe, effective, and also cost effective.

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Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha therapy has changed the course of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), but clinical experience about lengthening of time intervals between drug administrations is still limited.

The aims of the study were to evaluate: (1) the long-term efficacy (over a 4-year period) of etanercept/adalimumab in a subset of PsA patients who did not require switches; and (2) the progressive lengthening of time intervals between treatments in patients who achieved minimal disease activity (MDA).

PsA outpatients attending the Rheumatology Clinic-University of Padova who took a single anti-TNF agent (etanercept/adalimumab) for a 4-year period were studied. Therapy efficacy was assessed using clinical, biochemical, and disease activity (DA) indexes. The intervals between treatments were empirically and progressively lengthened after MDA was reached and maintained. One hundred and forty-one patients (mean age, 51.22 ± 12.34 years; mean disease duration, 12.1 ± 8.42 years) treated with etanercept/adalimumab (47.5% and 52.5%, respectively) were studied. DA indexes showed a marked, persistent improvement in all the patients throughout 4 years. The interval between injections could be extended in 46.1% of the patients (35% for adalimumab, 58% for etanercept) without provoking relapses. The mean therapy interval at the end of the study period was 3.12 weeks for adalimumab 40 mg (with respect to 2 weeks) and 2.75 weeks for etanercept 25 mg (with respect to 0.5 weeks).

The new therapy timetable also led to cost savings. In conclusion, lengthening the time intervals between injections of anti-TNF agents in PsA patients who reach MDA is safe, effective, cost-effective, and facilitates patient compliance.

Following on from this report Cosentyx doing well for psoriatic arthritis 1 year on Novartis announced that results from the pivotal Phase III FUTURE 1 study for Cosentyx (secukinumab) showed significant efficacy in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

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Novartis announced today that results from the pivotal Phase III FUTURE 1 study for secukinumab in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) were published online in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). Secukinumab is the first interleukin-17A (IL-17A) inhibitor to demonstrate efficacy in a Phase III study in patients with active PsA, a painful, debilitating condition causing inflammation of joints and skin. PsA is part of a family of long-term diseases impacting joints, known as spondylorarthritis.

In this study, secukinumab met the primary endpoint with a 20% reduction in the American College of Rheumatology response criteria (ACR 20) at Week 24 showing rapid and significant clinical improvements versus placebo. ACR is a standard tool used to assess improvement of PsA signs and symptoms. In addition, secukinumab met all secondary endpoints, including improvements in skin and joint diseases and joint structural damage progression.

Results showed that half of patients (50.0% and 50.5%) in both secukinumab-treated dose groups (150 mg and 75 mg; p<0.001) achieved ACR 20 response compared with only 17.3% of placebo patients. Clinically significant improvements with secukinumab were observed as early as Week 1 and sustained throughout 52 weeks of treatment.

"Secukinumab is the first IL-17A inhibitor with detailed positive results for the treatment of PsA, further validating the importance of the role IL-17A plays in spondyloarthritis," said Vasant Narasimhan, Global Head of Development, Novartis Pharmaceuticals. "Novartis looks forward to advancing this important therapy to address the unmet need for patients living with PsA."

PsA is a debilitating, long-lasting inflammatory disease associated with joint pain and stiffness, skin and nail psoriasis, swollen toes and fingers, persistent painful tendonitis and irreversible joint damage. These all lead to significant disability, poor quality of life and reduced life expectancy. Importantly, in FUTURE 1, clinical benefits with secukinumab were observed regardless of prior exposure to anti-tumor-necrosis-factor (anti-TNF) medicines, the current standard of care. Many patients do not respond to, or tolerate these therapies and approximately 45% of people are dissatisfied with current treatments. There is therefore, a high unmet need for patients with PsA.

Secukinumab was well tolerated in the study, with a safety profile that was consistent with that observed in the large psoriasis clinical trial program involving nearly 4,000 patients. The most common adverse events (AEs) were the common cold, headache and upper respiratory tract infections.

Today I start the above treatment  - the first time I've taken anything other than topical creams and a few bouts of puva. However the Psoriasis is making a break for it and it needs putting back in its place!

So, as Fingers did on his thread earlier I'm thinking of taking some photos - he got me thinking... I'm going to try and take some timelapse, same shot, each day...and once I have something worthwhile I'll post-it up here (somehow)!

Right, anyone seen my tripod?!

I thought I would start a new thread about issues I am having with my toes. My toes, specifically the ones in the middle cramp or lock up. Anyone who had played a physical sport has probably had experience with cramping. Stretching, drinking water, and light jog normally relieves the cramping within 10 minutes. The issues with my toes is similar but different. They last a lot longer and stretching and keeping hydrated does not work. When cramping is over my toes are typically warm and fuzzy. Anyone else have similar issues? Any ideas to help? I have been taking two celebrex per day (it helps), but honestly it probably not safe to take a high dose for extended periods of time.

Maybe another one to watch for the future as Galectin Therapeutics announces it's phase 2a proof of concept study of GR-MD-02 to determine safety and efficacy in 10 patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

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Galectin Therapeutics Inc, the leading developer of therapeutics that target galectin proteins to treat fibrosis and cancer, announces the start of a 10-patient pilot study with GR-MD-02 in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

The genesis of this study is the apparent remission of a patient with severe psoriasis who participated in the Company's Phase 1 study cohort of 4 mg/kg of GR-MD-02 for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). That patient received her fourth infusion of GR-MD-02 in May 2014, and her psoriasis remained in complete remission for 17 months, with slight scaling becoming evident on her elbows just this month.

"We are excited to begin this study at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas," said Peter G. Traber, M.D., Galectin's president, chief executive officer and chief medical officer. "We know from the scientific literature that galectin-3 is at higher levels in the skin of psoriasis patients, and that GR-MD-02 inhibits galectin-3. It would follow that GR-MD-02 could affect this disease. We are hopeful that patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis will show a clearing of their disease without the negative side effects associated with many of the currently available therapies. In addition, a successful pilot study would add to our robust therapeutic pipeline for this compound."

Psoriasis, which manifests most often as plaque psoriasis, is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory skin disorder. Although plaque psoriasis is rarely life threatening, it often is intractable to treatment. According to the International Federation of Psoriasis Associations, about 3% of the world's population has some form of psoriasis. In the U.S. there are about 150,000 new cases every year, and psoriasis affects about 2% of the population, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

About the Psoriasis Study

This study is a Phase 2a open-label trial in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in which 10 psoriasis patients with ≥ 10% of their skin affected and a PASI (psoriasis activity and severity index) of ≥ 12 points will be treated with 8 mg/kg of GR-MD-02 every other week for a total of seven infusions. The primary endpoint will be the PASI-75, or a 75% improvement in the severity of the disease 30 days following the final infusion. More information on the trial can be found in a CEO Perspective published today, which can be found here.

About GR-MD-02

GR-MD-02 is a complex carbohydrate drug that targets galectin-3, a critical protein in the pathogenesis of fatty liver disease and fibrosis. Galectin-3 plays a major role in diseases that involve scaring of organs including fibrotic disorders of the liver, lung, kidney, heart and vascular system. The drug binds to galectin proteins and disrupts their function. Preclinical data in animals have shown that GR-MD-02 has robust treatment effects in reversing liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.

About Galectin Therapeutics

Galectin Therapeutics is developing promising carbohydrate-based therapies for the treatment of fibrotic liver disease and cancer based on the Company's unique understanding of galectin proteins, which are key mediators of biologic function. Galectin seeks to leverage extensive scientific and development expertise as well as established relationships with external sources to achieve cost-effective and efficient development. The Company is pursuing a development pathway to clinical enhancement and commercialization for its lead compounds in liver fibrosis and cancer.

Do not use Etin Skin Solution it contains a potent steroid and is not authorised for use as a medicinal product in the UK, it's available on the open market including Ebay and and could cause you serious problems.

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The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the British Association of Dermatologists are today warning people not to purchase or use Etin Skin Solution, a lotion claiming to treat skin conditions and known to have been supplied from various Asian and African beauty shops.


Etin Skin Solution was brought to the attention of MHRA by a consultant at Birmingham Children’s Hospital who became concerned following a complaint by a patient. Investigations to identify the source of this product are being conducted.


MHRA has recently tested samples of the lotion and found it to contain variable amounts of the corticosteroid betamethasone. Etin Skin Solution is not authorised for use as a medicinal product in the UK.


Corticosteroids are prescribed to treat inflammatory skin conditions, especially eczema and psoriasis. Long-term use can cause skin thinning and can worsen conditions such as eczema. Another listed ingredient is clotrimazole which is used in anti-fungal medications.


There are strict legal requirements in place in the UK relating to the sale, supply, manufacture, distribution and advertising of medicinal products. The legislative controls seek to ensure that products meet certain quality and safety standards; a breach of these legal requirements may constitute a criminal offence. The MHRA investigates any report of suspected illegal activity concerning medicines, or medical devices, and takes appropriate action.


MHRA senior policy advisor, Lynda Scammell said “Our advice to anyone who is using this product, particularly on young children and babies, is to discontinue use immediately. People seeking help for skin conditions should discuss alternative treatments with their healthcare professional. Medicines containing corticosteroids should only be given under the supervision of a doctor or pharmacist.”


Professor Celia Moss, Consultant Dermatologist at Birmingham Children's Hospital and one of the hospital's staff who brought the product to MHRA's attention, said: “We discovered the availability of this product after it had been used on the skin of a baby in our care. A nurse from my team visited the shop where it had been purchased and found it was freely available on more than one occasion. We reported this to MHRA and are pleased it has been investigated and action taken.


“However this is just one outlet and it is hard to police every supplier. We are therefore warning people not to use Etin and to report its sale to MHRA. Anyone using a steroid lotion such as this is likely to perceive some short-term benefit, because steroids make red skin look paler. This is because steroids constrict blood vessels in the skin. Unfortunately on discontinuing the product the redness may come back, which of course makes people want to continue it. But to do so is unwise, and after a few days the skin will revert to its previous appearance.”


Dr Firouz Mohd Mustapa of the British Association of Dermatologists said: "Milder steroids for short-term, localised use can be purchased over the counter from a pharmacist, but potent steroids such as this must be prescribed by doctors, who follow strict criteria when prescribing them and monitoring patients using them. This is because they can suppress the skin’s response to infection, can thin the skin, and if applied long term over a wide area, particularly in babies and children, can cause other medical problems.


“For babies and children, NICE guidelines set out clear recommendations on when it is appropriate for dermatologists to prescribe these potent or very potent steroids, the appropriate locations of the body on which they can be used and the duration of treatment. Sale of potent steroid creams directly to the public is illegal for good reason."

Hello, I am new here. Found it by searching for information on Hemp Oil. There is a rumour going around that it can be beneficial to psoriasis sufferers and I wanted to investigate further. 
I would like to know if anyone has any experience or thoughts on Hemp Oil use. I would like to know if it really is a rumour before I spend money on buying some.
What do the experts say?
Is it another fad?
Do I drink it, rub it in or put it into my food?

Thanks for any response in advance.

Theres a bit of a craze at the moment with a lot of people starting up their own business within a company called "F------ l------" which sells Aloe Vera products (and possibly other products)

I do not have an issue with Aloe Vera being used for Psoriasis, BUT I have a huge issue with people selling it to Psoriasis sufferers telling them its a "cure" which I have been targeted with.  Aloe Vera is incredibly soothing for Psoriasis in personal experience, but it doesn't cure it and I just wanted to make a topic on this as I'm getting fed up of people taking advantage of people with health problems and selling them a product that won't cure them just so they can earn an extra buck!

While I'm at it, you can shove your aloe vera juice as well that will "cure" my Crohns.  

I have faithfully applied Doveobet in cream and in fluid on psoriasis for the past four or five years or so, I never had psoarisis before and developed this at about 55 yrs of age, I related this to stress working in Wirral Borough Council call center which was worse than torture. I suffered the ordeal for 9 years. I have left now. However, to get to the point, the more Dovobet I have been prescribed the worse the psoriasis, which covers my lover and upper limbs, backside and my arms. The psoriasis has never been on my chest or back, but only on my arms. Up to last week, skin was so red and sore and peeling off, I found an old bottle of cod liver oil in the cupboard, I though what to loose, I applied this smelly old stuff on arms and legs one time, just so I could get some sleep. I was burning up. Also my friend has psoriasis and is given Donovex as part of his treatment. I said let me have some, can't be any worse that this suffering.  I have applied the Dovonex twice a day for about 8 days, The red burning and scales and rough skin dust has ceased, the area on which I apply, is still pinkish, but the skin is suddenly very smooth, it still itch, but I notice almost white patches of normal slkin where last week was red and bloody and scales, Reading about Dovobet and my experience is that this has been the greater cause of the psoriasis, this application has actually increased the severity of symptoms of psoriiasis, Reading about Dovobex, which I have borrowed, this is a vitamin D substitute, but Is cod liver oli also vitamin D.  All I can say is that The Dovonex is working very much better in recent days that Dovobet has in the five years I have been using.  Is anyone who might read this post experienced clearup using the Dovonex  ?  Is the cod liver oil, I used in despair have anything to do with clearing this ? I doubt it has anything to do with leaving the council, I am still traumatised having had to endure this suffering in a call center. I really really hated it, but I suppose having no alternative you have to do something.  I thought some days I was going to die, having to listen to the rubbish these people in Wirral talk about. I suppose not being a native to North West is no help, I native to South London where we have better things to do than call the council about a bit of litter in Liscard. I don't know what  I suffered the worse the torture of psoriasis or the torture of working for Wirral Borough Council.

One of the questions that I've always wanted to pose to another suffer of psoriasis is whether or not smoking and drinking have any real impact on the way that the plaques deal with such toxins.

As mentioned in a previous thread, I smoke and drink but not to any real extent. Perhaps five or six cigarettes a day and maybe a bottle of wine or so every couple of weeks; I think that's a fair average.

As a very recent prescribed user of acetretin, I have read a confusing degree of information regarding alcohol. The question I have here is; does anyone else think twice before enjoying a pint of hoppy craft beer with their pub lunch or is it an absolute no-no? My partner works with someone who was prescribed methotrexate for psoriasis treatment and apparently drank* throughout the treatment without any problems at all. The effects of psoriasis have all but left.

With regards to smoking, I had my gall bladder removed recently and a nurse in theater said quite plainly that smoking was very bad for psoriasis yet it seems that there is 'no scientific suggestion' that it does otherwise. 

Has anyone recently quit and have noticed a considerable improvement with their skin?

*when I say 'drank throughout', my partners colleague isn't a functioning alcoholic, she just enjoys a drop like most. Just to clear that up! 

Much love, Hellosimon. 

hey there everybody, hope you are having a great start to the weekend.

A little background before I present my query. I am now 27 and have had P since age 16. I have always had it on my scalp and also various parts of my body, however on my body it seems to be sparse and it is worse on my scalp. It has never totally gone. I have been eating much better for the past 6 months and have taken away any refined sugar, dairy, vegetable oil or fried food, white rice and potatoes and red meat (only eat fish now).. I don't smoke and have always exercised but more more these days. This has helped a lot but I do fall down and drink alcohol once every week or 2. 

My point here is that I purchased some Dr Bronner's 1 in 18 natural lotion to wash with in the shower, scalp and body. It is very natural and I have heard so many good things about it for people with P, however it seems to aggravate my plagues by making them dryer and more inflamed, a sort of angry red. I have heard people with skin conditions speak highly of this stuff and the ingredients do seem to be very natural, the only questionable thing may be hydrogen peroxide, but I am not chemist. I do recall though that tea-tree oil had a similar reaction with my P and this stuff contains that, but again others have spoken highly of tea-tree oil.. Could this just be me? Do I need to dilute the solution when using it to wash because I do not want to use soaps that are full of chemicals anymore, something all natural. Can anybody offer their experience with Dr Bronner's and other natural ways to wash? 

Tom

Hello! 

What can I say, well.... I've had P since I was 10...so that's 35 years of fun...visiting dermos, some of which were interested, some of which were merely passing through never to be seen again and some who should really never have started a career in medicine! The P has always been bad and I've always avoided the riskier (?) treatments and opted for topical with some UVA thrown in for good measure ...but it's getting to the point now where I'd quite like some relief - or at least enough time to be able to teach my small children how to swim.. So, I'm going back to the Derm...and armed with the advice I've already seen here and undoubtedly some questions I'll pose here too, see what can be done.  Onwards! And thanks for reading.

So hey, im lori and im new to this site! ?
Im 29 and have suffered with psoriasis since i was 12 ?
Believe it or not i didnt realise till recently how common it was as i dont know anyone that has psorisis so havent really spoken to other sufferers! So please bare with me ?

Following on from XenoPort starts phase 2 trial of XP23829 in patients with psoriasis there are reports that xenport shares have taken a knock of 25% following their release of the results, though they said they met their primary endpoint in both 800 mg and 400 mg doses of the drug XP23829 investors have been put off by side effects, particularly diarrhea rates ranging from 22 percent to 40 percent at the highest, most effective dose. Other gastrointestinal side effects included nausea, abdominal pain and vomiting, and 15 percent of psoriasis patients treated with the highest dose of XP23829 discontinued the study compared to 2 percent for placebo patients.

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XenoPort, Inc. announced today positive preliminary top-line results from its Phase 2 clinical trial of XP23829 as a potential treatment for moderate-to-severe chronic plaque-type psoriasis. XP23829 met its primary endpoint in both 800 mg once daily and 400 mg twice daily doses, demonstrating statistically significant improvements in percent change from baseline to week 12 in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score. XP23829 is a patented prodrug of monomethyl fumarate (MMF) in a novel oral formulation that was designed to potentially offer physicians and patients an effective, better tolerated and easier to use therapeutic option to currently available fumarate products.

Richard Kim, M.D., chief medical officer of XenoPort, stated, "We believe these clinical data demonstrate for the first time that a MMF prodrug other than dimethyl fumarate (DMF) can be effective in reducing lesions in psoriatic patients. The magnitude of XP23829's effect on the primary efficacy endpoint met our expectations for this relatively short duration trial and we are particularly encouraged by the results with 800 mg once-daily dosing. Based on what is known about fumarates, we believe that the efficacy of XP23829 is likely to improve with a more extended duration of treatment beyond 12 weeks. We are also pleased with the safety and tolerability profile of XP23829 emerging from this study. We believe that this demonstration of efficacy, safety and tolerability of XP23829 could lead to a differentiated product in psoriasis. We also believe that there is potential for the observations from this study to read through to other potential indications such as multiple sclerosis (MS)."

Description of the Trial:

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical trial of XP23829 was conducted in 33 sites in the United States in subjects with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque-type psoriasis. Two hundred eligible subjects were randomized to placebo or one of three treatment arms of XP23829: 400 mg or 800 mg once daily (QD) or 400 mg twice daily (BID). The 12-week treatment period included a three-week titration period followed by nine weeks of treatment at the targeted dose. There was a washout phase of up to four weeks prior to randomization for subjects who were previously taking systemic agents for the treatment of psoriasis. Treatment assignment was stratified based on prior biologic use and approximately 35% of randomized subjects had previous experience with biological treatments for their psoriasis.

XP23829 was safe and generally well tolerated. There were no deaths or life-threatening adverse events. No subjects met the safety discontinuation criteria and the majority of treatment emergent adverse events were non-serious and mild or moderate in severity. Diarrhea adverse event rates were consistent with other drugs in the fumaric acid ester class ranging from 22% to 40% in the XP23829 treatment groups compared with 15% for placebo. Other treatment emergent adverse events occurring at an incident rate of greater than or equal to 10% were nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting and headache. The incidence of flushing in the XP23829 dose groups was similar to placebo. Gastrointestinal events were the most frequent adverse event leading to withdrawal during XP23829 treatment. There were two treatment emergent serious adverse events assessed as possibly related to treatment with XP23829: acute cholecystitis and enterocolitis. Both subjects recovered.

No subjects experienced Grade 3 or Grade 4 lymphopenia. Less than 5% of subjects in any XP23829 treatment group reached Grade 2 lymphopenia and less than 15% reached Grade 1 at any visit. Lymphocyte levels in all subjects experiencing lymphopenia returned to within normal limits after treatment.

"I'm excited to have participated in this phase 2 study with positive efficacy data that we believe justifies further development of XP23829 into moderate-to-severe chronic plaque-type psoriasis," stated Alice Bendix Gottlieb, M.D., Ph.D., Dermatologist-in-Chief; Harvey B. Ansell Professor of Dermatology, Tufts University School of Medicine and Lead Investigator for the XP23829 trial. "Despite the wide availability of biologics, there still remains a significant unmet medical need for a more effective, safe, well-tolerated, and convenient oral treatment for patients with psoriasis. Fumarates have been the leading treatment for psoriasis in Germany for more than 2 decades. With this long-term real-world fumarate experience and these data in consideration, I look forward to the potential of seeing XP23829 in Phase 3 development for moderate-to-severe chronic plaque-type psoriasis."

"We are extremely pleased by the preliminary top-line results from this Phase 2 study. I want to thank the clinical investigators and the psoriasis sufferers who participated in the study. We look forward to getting the complete data set for this trial later this month and to presenting more comprehensive results at future medical conferences and in publications," stated Ronald W. Barrett, Ph.D., chief executive officer of XenoPort.

Dr. Barrett continued, "In the near future, we intend to share these data with psoriasis and multiple sclerosis experts, speak with regulatory authorities regarding next steps and explore potential partnerships that could accelerate the development of XP23829 globally. We recently completed non-clinical development studies and manufacturing activities necessary to support Phase 3 development and we believe we will be ready to potentially initiate Phase 3 studies in 2016."

Hello

I've just joined the site and I thought I'd introduce myself. 

I was diagnosed around five years ago and have tried a variety of topical treatments, varied diets and have very recently been prescribed acetretin so I'm hoping for positive results.

The psoriasis* is spreading pretty much everywhere and it has knocked my confidence for six. My partner is really supportive and I owe so much to her. I guess I'm in a similar if not exact situation to many other members here.

I've joined as I would like to hear others stories regarding treatment, diet and how they get on with smoking and drinking. I smoke and drink but not in any particular quantity.

*I'm a little funny about calling psoriasis 'my' psoriasis. I don't own it. It doesn't belong to me, I didn't ask for it therefore it is not mine. I hope everyone is ok with me using this terminology and in my posts, I will be referring to it as exactly that. 

I look forward to discussing everything psoriasis with you all and I will keep the forums posted with progress and personal feelings about it, and the treatment.

I am currently having a lovely time in Menorca whilst I am really enjoying (if a little paranoid) about getting my skin out in the sun so if I don't respond immediately, please don't be put off. I will respond to all posts and I hope to play a positive part as a  community member on this board. 

Much love, Hellosimon.

Hi I'm Lindsay..... A newbie to this site but has psoriasis on hands and feet for the last 20 odd years! 

I've have been on the Cosentyx trial for the last year and now able to continue using i. Although I'm not clear I am 80% better and almost pain free. I'm looking forward to following the progress of Cosentyx users. 

Hi -- I'm new.

I've never been on drugs for psoriasis, but I do find that sunlight helps tremendously.  So all summer and into the fall, I'm doing ok.  But then winter comes.  The sunlight isn't very strong and I'd get frostbite if I went out without clothes.  Things get worse and I find I'm just holding on until spring.

So I'm wondering what the options are for home phototherapy.  Is anyone actually doing this?  If so, what equipment would be recommended?

It's mostly in my nails, but I have wondered if the winter time arthritis I get is also related.

I didn't take up the flu jab when I was on mtx but now I'm on Humira I'm feeling the pressure to conform.. However I know more than one person who gave the flu jab a go for a couple of years, and were very poorly after. One ended up on very specific unpleasant antibiotics to clear a chest infection which began straight after and would not go away.

Now, don't shout me down, I have biology a level and I understand that the jab is not a live vaccine so you can't catch the flu from the jab. But this doesn't help explain the anecdotes which have put me off.

So, I thought I'd have a look on the nhs website to see what ingredients are in it, and was surprised by the number of people who say they were ill straight after and many said it left their arm weak and painful for a long time. I have booked myself in but I'm not sure I want to go through with it (like all medicines I get given lol)

Who on here does take up the annual flu jab and have you had any issues please?

Manu thanks in advance, and anyone who doesn't read this properly and starts the lecture on how you can't catch flu from the jab is getting deleted

My skin is 50% affected with psoriasis and my doctor treat me with 2x of 25g of Mtx every 12hrs for 3x then followed by folic acid on the next 6 days. After 3 weeks of treatments my psoriasis totally gone with only white scars remain on my skin. She advise me also to stop using soap and shampoo instead I use VCO as a soap on my skin then not using harsh detergents on my clothes. I stop also using fabric conditioner. I'm really happy about the result then I started to expose my skin to the sun to balance the color of my skin, but after a month a red dot with itchy feeling started to grow again on my skin. I'm worried to take Mtx again although base on my blood test I'm still good with normal readings. In your experience did the Mtx need to take every 1 month to control our skin problem?

Here's a potential treatment for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and other autoimmune disorders. VTP-43742 is Vitae's first-in-class, wholly owned product candidate for the potential treatment of a variety of autoimmune disorders and orphan diseases.

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Vitae Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, today announced positive top-line results from its Phase 1 single ascending dose clinical study of VTP-43742 in autoimmune disorders. VTP-43742 is Vitae's first-in-class, wholly owned RORγt inhibitor being developed for the treatment of a range of autoimmune disorders, potentially including psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and irritable bowel disease (IBD), as well as numerous orphan diseases.

In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study that evaluated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic (PK), and pharmacodynamic (PD) profile of single oral doses of VTP-43742 in 53 healthy human volunteers, VTP-43742 was safe and generally well tolerated at all dose levels across a 60-fold dose range. No serious adverse events were reported and there were no drug-related clinical laboratory or electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities.

VTP-43742 was also evaluated in an ex vivo assay for its ability to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17A in blood obtained from study subjects. Subjects receiving VTP-43742 showed a dose-dependent suppression of RORγt dependent IL-17A production by more than 90 percent, with the effect largely sustained over the full 24-hour measurement period.

In animal studies, steady inhibition of RORγt was necessary to achieve full therapeutic efficacy, indicating the importance of a relatively long plasma half-life. The plasma half-life of VTP-43742 was observed to be approximately 30 hours in this clinical trial, supporting the potential for effective once-a-day dosing in humans.

"VTP-43742's robust and sustained lowering of IL-17A production observed in the ex vivo blood assay, paired with its favorable safety, tolerability and PK profile, demonstrate that this first-in-class drug candidate has the potential to safely and effectively treat a range of autoimmune conditions," said Dr. Richard Gregg, Chief Scientific Officer of Vitae. "We are extremely encouraged by the PK and PD data, and look forward to reporting additional clinical results, including top-line proof-of-concept data in psoriasis patients, by the end of the year."

Vitae is currently conducting a Phase 1 multiple ascending dose clinical trial of VTP-43742, which was initiated in August 2015. This trial includes both healthy human volunteers and patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. The Company plans to begin dosing psoriatic patients in the second half of 2015, with top-line clinical efficacy results expected by the end of 2015.