Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Celgene's new experimental drug for psoriasis proved 50% effecftive

Live healthy and long

From Newsmax Health  | March  3, 2013

Celgene's new experimental drug  apremilast vs. psoriasis proved effective than placebo in 59% of the 844 of cases thus clearing the way for FDA application for approval in second half of 2013.  Psoriasis is an itchy painful condition marked by inflammation associated with problems in body's immune system.

Psoriasis  has no known cause and cure difficult to treat.  And treatment is expensive.

Apremilast pharmologic action is to inhibit the enzyme  phosphodiesterase 4 or PDE4.  Its side effect is nausea and diarrhea. It does not cause lymphoma or PTB on week 16 of treatment.

Dr. Richard Langley, director of dermatology research at Dalhousie University in Halifax one of the lead investigator, said that this could be the first line of disease vs. psoriasis considering the cost benefit/risk.

Current treatment is with methrotexate which has serious side effects.

Other treatments are:   Humira of AbbVie Inc. and Ambrel of Amgen


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