For a pharma company with about $5 billion in revenue, a couple of respectably sized blockbuster drugs on the market and some high-profile partners like Amgen, Belgiums UCB has kept an unusually low profile on the pipeline side of things over the years.

Until now.

Just days after striking a $2.1 billion deal to buy Ra Pharmaceuticals and its C5 rival to Soliris, UCB is posting positive top-line Phase III results for a dual IL-17 inhibitor that its steering into one of the most competitive commercial spaces in the industry. And despite plenty of obvious challenges as they struggle to roll out Evenity with Amgen and patent expirations loom on its franchise drugs, including Cimzia, the company just may be ready to tackle some of the biggest players on the planet.

In their first of 3 Phase III studies for bimekizumab, researchers touted top-line wins on statistically significant results on clearing plaque psoriasis, including a victory over J&Js IL-23 contender Stelara on key endpoints. The drug targets both IL-17A and IL-17F, a modification on the IL-17A strategy laid out for Taltz (Eli Lilly) and Cosentyx (Novartis). And the new group also includes J&Js Tremfya and AbbVies Skyrizi.

We dont know the PASI90 and IGA scores but UCB knows that with the kind of heavyweight competition it faces with Novartis and others, marginal gains for patients wont stack up. So well be watching for the hard numbers. And theres another head-to-head with Cosentyx that will play a big role in pushing up analysts projections on peak sales, which currently fall well short of blockbuster status.

UCB hasnt exactly been in the spotlight for the last few years, but its in a position now that the company has to win some respect in R&D, with blockbuster projects that can keep investors attention at a time the industry is experiencing booming R&D development efforts around the planet.

It hasnt been easy. There was a setback on a lupus drug partnered with Biogen. But there have been some advances, with a deal to buy Proximagens NDA-ready nasal spray therapy USL261, designed as a rescue therapy for acute repetitive seizures, for $150 million in cash and another $220 million in sales and regulatory milestones. There was even a report that the company was kicking the deflated tires at Acorda, though nothing came of that.

Late last year UCB also committed to spend up to 200 million on a new R&D hub in the UK.

That may not translate into a lot of excitement right now, but theyre trying. And theres a subtle promise that more deals may be in the works.

Social image: UCB

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UCB tries to win some respect in the crowded psoriasis market with a dual IL-17 approach and it won't be easy - Endpoints News

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The drugmaker Eli Lilly has struggled this year, with the stock down 6.7% in 2019. That is well behind the broader S&P 500 health-care sector, which is up 6%, and the broader S&P 500, which is up 19.9% since the start of the year.

The company will make its case on Wednesday morning when it unveils its third-quarter earnings. Lilly has scheduled a conference call for 9 a.m. ET.

The earnings report comes weeks after a double-dose of good news for Eli Lilly (ticker: LLY). Earlier this month, the Food and Drug Administration approved the companys migraine drug Reyvow, and the company unveiled positive data on its drug Taltz in pediatric patients with plaque psoriasis, all in the space of two days.

Eli Lilly stock trades at 16.9 times its estimated earnings over the next 12 months, slightly below its five-year average of 19.8 times earnings.

Heres a snapshot of investors expectations and recent history.

Wall Street analysts expect earnings of $1.39 per share in the third quarter, according to FactSet, and sales of $5.5 billion.

In a note out October 18, J.P. Morgan analyst Chris Schott wrote that he expected growth on the sale of core products. Strong product trends continue despite competition, Schott wrote.

The companys anti-inflammatory drug Taltz is facing an increasingly crowded field, including AbbVies (ABBV) new drug Skyrizi and other drugs from Novartis (NVS), Celgene (CELG). Still, Schott wrote that Taltz has shown relatively healthy performance despite the Skyrizi launch.

On October 16, Bank of America Merrill Lynch analyst Geoff Meacham issued a Buy rating on Lilly, writing that he viewed the risk/reward profile in Lilly as compelling, and setting a $133 price target on the stock.

The company has reported some promising data in recent months, including a strong response rate for its drug LOXO-292 in some lung cancer patients, and the data on Taltz in pediatric patients with plaque psoriasis.

In July, Lilly reported earnings per share of $1.50, beating Wall Street expectations of $1.45 just slightly. The company attributed the beat to an increase in volume.

Write to Josh Nathan-Kazis at josh.nathan-kazis@barrons.com

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Eli Lilly Reports Earnings Tomorrow. Heres What to Expect. - Barron's

Kim Kardashian got candid about her battle with psoriasis and dealing with her new psoriatic arthritis diagnosis in a revealing personal essay for sister Kourtney Kardashians wellness site,Poosh.

The reality star spoke about her first outbreak at 25 and detailed the rollercoaster of emotions shes faced in dealing with the chronic skin condition. Kardashian said that shes learned to deal with the patch of skin her right leg that gets the most frequent flare-ups, though it often spreads.

Earlier this year is when it got extremely bad it covered my whole face and a majority of my entire body, she wrote. She also spoke about finding out she suffered from psoriatic arthritis after waking up and not being able to use her hands.

One night, I woke up to use the restroom and I physically couldnt pick up my phone. I thought it was strange but maybe I just slept on my hands weird and I was so tired, I didnt need to be checking my phone at that hour anyway. I fell right back asleep, she said in her essay. I woke up that morning and I still couldnt pick up my phone. I was freaking out I couldnt even pick up a toothbrush, my hands hurt so badly.

At a certain press event, her pain level was so high that she couldnt even get dressed.

I couldnt even get my bra on that day, and I had to have someone dress me because the pain was so unbearable, she said. With the boots I was wearing, my ankles started to feel it in those joints. Thats when I knew it wasnt just an issue in my hands, it was a bone problem.

Kardashian finally sought help and went to the doctor, where she tested positive for rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, which turned out to be a false positive. But it did lead to her diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis.

Its similar to arthritis that can stem from psoriasis and it can come and go. Its still painful and scary, but I was happy to have a diagnosis, she shared.

Kim Kardashian/InstagramKardashian shared a candid photo of her skin condition in March.

These days, Kardashian maintains a plant-based diet and said that shes extremely comfortable with her skin condition.

No matter where it is on my body, sometimes I am fine with showing it off and other times I dont want it to be a distraction, so I cover it up withbody makeup, she said, before signing off with an encouraging message for anyone else struggling with psoriasis.

You cant let it ruin your life or get the best of you. You have to do what you can to make sure you are comfortable but not let it take over, Kardashian said.

Head to Poosh to read more of Kardashians piece.

REAL LIFE. REAL NEWS. REAL VOICES.

Help us tell more of the stories that matter from voices that too often remain unheard.

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Kim Kardashian Shares Pic Of 'Extremely Bad' Psoriasis On Her Face - HuffPost

Measurement of drug levels early in treatment with ustekinumab for patients with psoriasis may be able to successfully predict patient response and, therefore, direct a treatment strategy.

The study included 491 British adults with psoriasis who were recruited from the multicenter Biomarkers of Systemic Treatment Outcomes in Psoriasis study as part of the British Association of Dermatologists Biologic and Immunomodulators Register. A total of 853 samples were obtained from the start of treatment.

The researchers measured disease activity using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score. At least 1 PASI score was collected within the first year of treatment.

Early measured drug levels had a statistically significant association with 6-month response. Within 12 weeks after starting treatment, measured drug levels were associated with PASI75 (75% reduction in PASI score from baseline) 6 months after treatment started. The researchers reported that drug immunogenicity was low, with antidrug antibodies only detected in 17 (3.5%) of the patients.

This finding suggests that adequate drug exposure early in the treatment cycle may be particularly important in determining clinical outcome with ustekinumab, the authors wrote. They did suggest that additional research should focus on pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of the whole time course of response to ustekinumab.

In addition, they noted that further research is needed to confirm the use of therapeutic drug monitoring for ustekinumab.

In an accompanying editorial,2 Andrew Blauvelt, MD, MBA, of Oregon Medical Research Center, pointed out that although there are newer biologics available for psoriasis, there are a subset of patients who do well on older biologics and nonbiologic therapeutic options. The importance of this new study is that it helps identify which patients will respond to older and less expensive therapeutic options.

The results also bring us 1 step closer toward personalized medicine, an ideal type of future medical practice where all therapies would be chosen based on characteristics (eg, genetic, demographic, biologic) unique to a given individual patient, he wrote.Personalized medicine could assure that each chosen medication is tailored for a given patient, thus optimizing chances for therapeutic success.

References

1. Tsakok T, Wilson N, Dand N, et al. Association of serum ustekinumab levels with clinical response in psoriasis [published online September 18, 2019]. JAMA Dermatol. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2019.1783.

2. Blauvelt A. Predicting clinical responses to ustekinumab: progress toward a future of personalized medicine [published online September 18, 2019]. JAMA Dermatol. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2019.2587.

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Early Levels of Ustekinumab May Predict Longer-term Response in Patients With Psoriasis - AJMC.com Managed Markets Network

Kim Kardashian has always been pretty open about living with psoriasis, but in a recent essay she penned for sister Kourtney's lifestyle site, Poosh, she got more real than ever about her journey with the condition.

In the 1000-word article, the 38-year-old mom of four detailed the highs and lows of living with the common skin condition, which she's had for 13 years now. She also shared never-before-seen photos of her psoriasis, including a flare-up on her face. Despite watching her mom, Kris Jenner, struggle with psoriasis growing up, she admitted that she ultimately had no idea what she was in for.

Turns out, her experience has been quite different than Jenner's. "She had it in her scalp and all over her body, and Id see it all the time and remember her going to the tanning salon to try and ease it for me, however, that remedy would burn the areas and cause them to itch, so I always felt helpless," she wrote. "I am the only child my mom passed down her autoimmune issue to. Lucky me, lol," she added.

Kardashian was 25 when she experienced her first psoriasis flare-up, but at the time, she had it treated with a shot of cortisone and it went away for roughly five years. When it came back in her early 30s, it did so with vengeance, and despite trying myriad remedies (i.e. celery juice, countless creams, changing her diet), she said she now just deals with the largely unpredictable flare-ups. "I have learned to live with this spot (on my leg) without using any creams or medication I just deal. Sometimes I cover it up and sometimes I dont. It doesnt really bother me," the Keeping Up With the Kardashian's star wrote.

What's more, she revealed that both times she was pregnant, it went away completely, though it was short-lived. "That was amazing, but then it came back again," she said. "Earlier this year is when it got extremely bad it covered my whole face and a majority of my entire body."

The KKW Beauty founder also shared several photos of her psoriasis in different stages, including what it looks like when it's fully flaring, as well as how it presents when it's healing. No matter what stage it's in, though, Kardashian has come to terms with it: "Ive become extremely comfortable with my psoriasis. No matter where it is on my body, sometimes I am fine with showing it off and other times I dont want it to be a distraction, so I cover it up with body makeup," she explained.

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Kim Kardashian Published an 1000-Word Essay About Her Psoriasis for Poosh - Allure Magazine

Kim Kardashians troubles are more than just skin-deep.

The reality TV star turned business mogul has written a heartfelt essay for Poosh.com in which she expands on her struggle with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Even though I always grew up with my mom having psoriasis and hearing her talk about her struggle, I really had no idea what my life would be like dealing with an autoimmune disease myself, she begins, explaining that its been 13 years since she first experienced a psoriasis flare-up. I am the only child my mom passed down her autoimmune issue to, she adds. Lucky me, lol.

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, more than 8 million Americans suffer from the condition.

Kardashian, 38, treated her first psoriasis flare-up with a cortisone shot, conveniently delivered by her then-neighbor, a dermatologist, after which it went away for five years, only to return in her early 30s.

For the past eight years, although the spots are unpredictable, I can always count on my main spot on my right lower leg, which consistently stays flared up, she details, before adding that when I got pregnant both times, it fully went away.

Kardashian described her initial experience with the arthritis side of the disease as first occurring when she was unable to pick up her phone or use a toothbrush. At first she assumed that shed simply overdone a workout, but as the day wore on, I got a bit more movement in my hands, but they really hurt from the inside I felt it in my bones.

I immediately started to cry and felt so lost, Kardashian added, noting soon after she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Her doctor, however, explained that it was possible shed had a false positive, so she came back three days later to discover this was indeed true, and that her pain stemmed from psoriatic arthritis.

Kardashian also outlined about four months before the arthritis diagnosis where she tried everything natural every ointment, cream, serum, and foam you can possibly imagine and everything from the dermatologist, including celery juice and herbal tea.

Today, however, she has become extremely comfortable with my psoriasis.

If you have psoriasis, you cant let it ruin your life or get the best of you. You have to do what you can to make sure you are comfortable but not let it take over I hope my story can help anyone else with an autoimmune disease feel confident that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

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Kim Kardashian details her struggle with psoriasis - Page Six

A young mom has been forced to give up work due to the unbearable pain caused by her psoriasis.

Sabrina Speaks, 23, has scaly plaques covering 90 per cent of her body, after developing the same skin condition as Kim Kardashian.

And now Speaks is opening up about her battle with psoriasis in a bid to raise awareness of the crippling autoimmune condition.

In particular, the mother-of-two, from North Carolina, has admitted that her family and motherhood has saved her from complete depression.

Psoriasis has affected my entire life. It is an autoimmune disorder. I want to make more people aware of that, she said.

Basically, it doesnt allow my immune system to work in a way that it should.

I produce skin cells way too quickly and I also have psoriatic arthritis which is an arthritis that ties in with psoriasis in the most severe cases.

The main side effects of my condition are fatigue, pain, swelling, itching, burning, depression and anxiety.

I cant work because of the pain it causes and also the reactions that I get from people seeing it.

While psoriasis isnt a rare condition, the severity of Speaks psoriasis is extreme with docs saying she is one of the worst cases they have seen.

A lot of people have it. It can be brought on by many things. Stress or even a simple cold can start your symptoms straight away, she said.

But a lot of people do not have it as severe as I do, where a lot of treatments dont work.

Heath Franklin / Barcroft Media

Heath Franklin / Barcroft Media

Barcroft Media

Barcroft Media

Barcroft Media

Heath Franklin / Barcroft Media

I am 90 percent or more covered in plaques. Im clearing up a bit now Im taking my injections, but prior to this, I was way more covered from head to toe.

According to my doctor, I am one of the worst cases theyve ever seen.

The hardest part about living with it is how it affects me as a person, how it changes me.

Im unable to be the person I want to be. I want to be running around with my children and doing things in the world without getting stared at, or without feeling pain.

Unfortunately, I just cant.

There is currently no cure for psoriasis, but Sabrina is having injections on a treatment plan to try and ease the pain and the number of plaques she has.

It all started out as just one spot on the back of her head a spot that suddenly turned really itchy and into a crusty patch.

It kept getting worse and worse. At first doctors said it was ringworm, but eventually, we found out it was psoriasis, Speaks added.

In my teenage years, making friends was really hard. A lot of people were like whos that girl that has all that stuff on her skin and why is she always tired? Just so many questions. I endured way too much bullying as a child and teenager.

And as well as the physical pain, Sabrina has a tricky time when out in public and tries her best to cope with the stares and pointing.

Adults are definitely more harsh than children. Children will come up and ask me about it. Whereas adults will just whisper, point, give you dirty looks and stares, she said.

They dont bother to just ask. Its really hurtful. I hope that with certain people reading and watching my story, they wont be that person in the future. To not just me, but to anyone living with a disease or illness.

Despite her crippling pain, Speaks has managed to find happiness in the shape of her husband and two daughters, Sophia and Madison.

My babies are my life, she said.

If Im anything in this world, Im a mother. Thats what I am first and what Ive always wanted to be.

On a daily basis, they drive me bonkers. But they have also improved my condition.

They make me happier, they take a lot of stress away too.

The turning point in my life was definitely having my first daughter, Sophia. The moment I saw her, I knew I had to be more confident for her sake.

Whether that meant me suffering or not.

And Speaks husband, Daniel, 28, added: I would describe Sabrina as a beautiful, loving mother and wife that would do anything for anybody.

Shes got a heart of gold.

When we first met, she told me about her condition. I was just like youre a really nice person and I want to get to you know you better I didnt mind it. We clicked right away.

I try to take good care of her when shes sick. She struggles a lot sometimes, I so want to make sure Im there for her.

Speaks is now focusing her attention on raising more awareness for psoriasis and those who live with similar conditions.

Its so important to raise awareness for this because theres just not enough information out there, she added.

Were tired, were exhausted, were in pain its a lot to handle. I am proud of everything I am trying to do in my life now, despite my condition. I have a loving husband and two wonderful children, so what more could I want?

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Womans psoriasis is worst docs have seen as scaly plaques cover 90% of her body - New York Post

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Kim Kardashian's health woes have been a major plot line for the new season of Keeping Up With The Kardashians. On last week's episode, Kim underwent testing for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis antibodies after she said she'd been experiencing numbness in her hands and other symptoms, and tested positive.

Ive been feeling so tired, so nauseous and my hands are really getting swollen, she said. I feel like I literally am falling apart. My hands are numb. Lately, my wrists are starting to hurt again but its definitely a different feeling, she said. I feel this in my bones. Its starting to really worry me. I really have to look into this. Based on the symptoms, it looks like I have rheumatoid arthritis. Its so scary. So I have to go to the doctor and see whats going on because I cant live like this.

But she still didn't have exact answers for what was going on. On last night's episode of KUWTK, Kim finally learned what was causing her pain.

In the episode, she went to a doctor and had an ultrasound done on her hands to determine whether or not she was suffering from lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. And it turns out, she was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis.

First of all, if you have any evidence for lupus, we would have screened it, the doctor explained. You do not have lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. So, you can be reassured. You probably have psoriatic arthritis because psoriasis comes and goes. Theres nothing there right now.

Kim immediately let out a deep breath after hearing the news. Im so relieved that this is just psoriatic arthritis, Kim admitted. The pain is going to come and go sometimes, but I can manage it and this isnt going to stop me.

According to the American College of Rheumatology, psoriatic arthritis is a form of inflammatory arthritis that happens to people with psoriasis. Kim's been open about her struggles with the skin condition psoriasis in the past.

The main symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are painful, stiff and swollen joints. While the cause of psoriatic arthritis is not known, of those with psoriatic arthritis, 40 percent also have a family member with psoriasis or arthritis, according to the American College of Rheumatology.

It's not unusual for someone Kim's age to be diagnosed with psoriatic arthritispeople between 30 and 50 years old are the most likely to be diagnosed, per the American College of Rheumatology. And while there is no cure for psoriatic psoriasis, treatments usually involve over-the-counter anti-inflammatories or prescription anti-rheumatic drugs.

Here's hoping Kim finds a resolution to her symptoms soon.

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Kim Kardashian Was Diagnosed With Psoriatic Arthritis After Her Lupus Scare On 'KUWTK' - Women's Health

Using a mouse model, researchers have discovered a potential therapeutic target for osteosarcoma one which is already used to treat psoriasis. These new findings are published in Cancer Discovery.

Not just "growing pains"

Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer, commonly diagnosed in young people; around half of new cases in the United States each year are in children and teenagers. As such, the signs and symptoms can often be mistaken for "growing pains", which can delay diagnosis. If, by this point, the cancer has spread outside the bone, five-year survival rates decrease from 77% to 65%.

Current treatment for osteosarcoma follows a standard pattern; surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Given the survival rate, there are efforts to develop treatments beyond this standard. One such treatment is immunotherapy, which is rapidly becoming the fifth pillar of cancer treatment.1

The role of the immune system

Researchers were led towards immune molecules by the results of genome-wide association studies (GWAS), which associated the gene GRM4 with susceptibility to osteosarcoma.2,3 It was through investigating this gene that they found an association between osteosarcoma and IL-23, a pro-inflammatory molecule within the immune system.

In a recent press release, lead author Maya Kansara says : "In a mouse model of osteosarcoma, we investigated the role of GRM4, as well as a number of immune molecules, the production of which is regulated by GRM4," she continues: "In our model, we discovered that the inflammatory molecule IL-23 was critical to osteosarcoma formation and progression."

The authors uncovered the role of IL-23 by removing it from mice, via a gene knock-out, finding that they were then protected from developing osteosarcomas. Blocking IL-23 in mice with existing osteosarcomas was also trialed the growth of these tumors was successfully suppressed.4From bench to bedside

The relationship between IL-23 and development of osteosarcoma suggests the former could be targeted in treatment of the latter. IL-23 is already a target in the treatment of some autoimmune diseases, including psoriasis.

"Drugs that block IL-23 are approved and well-tolerated, and on the market now for the treatment of psoriasis," says Professor David Thomas, co-author of the study. "We are now designing clinical trials to see whether they can provide much-needed improved health outcomes for osteosarcoma patients."

References

1.Oiseth, S.J., Aziz, M.S. (2017) Cancer immunotherapy: a brief review of the history, possibilities, and challenges ahead. Journal of Cancer Metastasis and Treatment. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20517/2394-4722.2017.41

2.Savage, S.A., et al. (2013) Genome-wide association study identifies two susceptibility loci for osteosarcoma. Nature Genetics. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1038%2Fng.2645

3.Jiang, C., et al. (2014) GRM4 gene polymorphism is associated with susceptibility and prognosis of osteosarcoma in a Chinese Han population. Medical Oncology. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-014-0050-4

4.Kansara, M., et al. (2019) Infiltrating myeloid cells drive osteosarcoma progression via GRM4 regulation of IL23. Cancer Discovery. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1158/2159-8290.CD-19-0154

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Psoriasis Drug Target Holds Potential for Bone Cancer - Technology Networks

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are relatively common immune mediated diseases. The increase in cardiovascular disease associated with psoriatic disease is well established. Interestingly, some studies suggest a stronger link between psoriatic arthritis and cardiovascular disease.

Hypertension is a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. It is therefore considered an important modifiable risk factor in the development of cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have shown that patients with psoriasis have an increased risk of poorly controlled hypertension. Furthermore, there appears to be an increased prevalence of hypertension in patients with psoriatic arthritis even after adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

RELATED:Cardiovascular risk associated with psoriasis patients age, race

A group of collaborating physicians from Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Spain, led by Dr. Ruben Queiro performed an observational cross-sectional study to analyze the comparative prevalence of hypertension in psoriatic disease.

The patient cohort was from a multidisciplinary (rheumatology/dermatology), single center clinic, in a university hospital in Spain. 290 patients with psoriatic arthritis and 310 patients with psoriasis (in the absence of psoriatic arthritis) were included. For the purpose of the study hypertension was defined as 140/90 on two separate days during a one month period or the chronic use of antihypertensive medication.

The study cohort was composed of 324 men and 276 women with a mean age of 5312 years. The study results showed the following: 144/600 patients had hypertension (24%). The mean age at onset of psoriasis and arthritis was significantly higher in the hypertension population (3917 in HBP vs. 2616 years in non-HBP, p<0.01, 4917 in HBP vs. 4114 years in non-HBP, p<0.01). The mean body weight and BMI were significantly higher in HBP patients (8316 in HBP vs. 7715 kg in non-HBP, p<0.01, 30.24.9 in HBP vs. 274.4 in non-HBP, p<0.01).

References:

Queiro R, Lorenzo A, Tejn P, Pardo E, Coto P. Hypertension is associated with increased age at the onset of psoriasis and a higher body mass index in psoriatic disease. Clin Rheumatol. 2019;38(8):2063-2068.

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High blood pressure risk in psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis - Dermatology Times

Plaque psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes raised red patches covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells to form. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of psoriasis about 80 to 90% of the 7 million to 8 million Americans who have psoriasis have plaque psoriasis, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation.

Plaque psoriasis is most commonly found on the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back, but it can affect anywhere on the body, says Dr. Alan Westheim, dermatologist at St. Lukes Medical Associates of Monroe County in East Stroudsburg. The plaques can be itchy and painful, he says.

Because psoriasis can be unsightly, many fear it is contagious, but it is not, Westheim says. It cant be spread by touch or by close contact, he says. We also know that psoriasis has a large effect on the patients quality of life.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, Westheim explains. That means the body sees its own cells as foreign invaders and attacks them. The attacks cause the skin to grow more quickly, Westheim says. Normal skin replenishes every five to six weeks, Westheim says. When you have psoriasis, your skin replenishes every five to six days.

It isnt known why some people get psoriasis and others dont, Westheim says. Genetics is believed to play a role. About 10% of people are born with genes that make them prone to psoriasis, but only about 3% of people get psoriasis. Obesity also appears to play a role; the greater your weight, the greater likelihood of developing psoriasis, he says.

If both parents have psoriasis, their children are more likely to get psoriasis, too, Westheim says.

You can get psoriasis at any age, even as an infant, Westheim says. However, it is most common when people are in their late teens and early 20s and again after age 60.

Topical, systemic treatments available

There is no cure for psoriasis, but it can be treated, Westheim says. Some people are able to achieve clear skin with the newer treatments available. The newer treatments are designed to stop the immune process that leads to plaques.

When it comes to treatment, theres a ladder we climb, Westheim says. We try one treatment, and if that doesnt work, we go onto the next.

Depending on the severity of your psoriasis, your doctor may recommend topical treatments topical creams and steroids and vitamin D derivatives, he says. If you respond, great. If you dont, we might try UV light treatments. And if that doesnt work, we can talk about medications.

Methotrexate had been the mainstay for many years, but now there are a number of newer drugs on the market, Westheim says. The newer medicines are biologics and work wonderfully but are costly around $20,000 a year, he says.

Treatments are important to prevent disease progression and joint destruction, he says. It is important to look at psoriasis as a systemic disease as there is associated risk for heart disease and other systemic illnesses.

About a third of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, which can cause joint pain and swelling, Westheim says.

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Psoriasis cant be cured, but new treatments can clear skin in many - Pocono Record

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Redesigning molecules originally developed to treat the skin disease psoriasis could lead to an effective new drug against malaria, according to new research.

Researchers modified a class of molecules called pantothenamides to increase their stability in humans. The new compounds stop the malaria parasite from replicating in infected humans and from being transmitted to mosquitoes. Theyre also effective against malaria parasites resistant to currently available drugs.

Malaria is a major global health concern, with around 216 million cases and 400,000 deaths annually. The deadliest form of the disease is caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum, which is transmitted to humans from the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. Because many Plasmodium parasites have developed resistance to the most common drugs used against them, there is a pressing need for effective new treatment options.

We have known for a long time that pantothenamides are extremely potent against the malaria parasite, but they become unstable within biological fluids because an enzyme clips them apart before they can act, says coauthor Manuel Llins, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology and of chemistry at Penn State. The researchers found that changing a chemical bond in a pantothenamide molecule prevents this clipping, making it viable for use as a new antimalarial drug, he says.

The team found that the modified pantothenamide molecules not only interfere with the development of the malaria parasite during its asexual growth phase in the blood but also prevent transmission of the sexual form of the parasite from human blood to mosquitoes.

By also preventing the transmission of malaria parasites from infected people into mosquitoes, these pantothenamides can reduce the chances that mosquitoes will be infectious to others, says Llins. It is currently widely accepted that next-generation antimalarial drugs must target the parasite at multiple stages to both cure the disease in an infected individual and prevent its spread to others.

Llins and Erik Allman, postdoctoral scholar at Penn State at the time of the research, investigated exactly how the four most potent molecules in the compound class kill the malaria parasite. Specifically, they examined how these compounds affect the parasites metabolism while growing in human blood.

The team discovered that, because the pantothenamide molecule closely resembles the essential vitamin B5, the parasite mistakenly takes it in and metabolizes it. This leads to the formation of molecular analogues, or antimetabolites, which decrease the parasites production of acetyl-CoA, a compound critical for its survival.

The molecule has a mechanism of action that hasnt been used before, says Koen Dechering, of TropIQ Health Sciences. This means that theres no resistance to the drug as yet, and it is effective against many forms of malaria. Because parasite resistance to malaria drugs is a major problem worldwide, we are very close to a breakthrough.

Pantothenamides have a simple chemistry, so they are easy and inexpensive to make, says Llins, And we now know their mode of action, which we dont always know before moving into drug development. This makes pantothenamides excellent candidates for further development and eventual clinical trials.

The research appears in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

Additional researchers from Penn State, Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands, St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital, Chiralix in the Netherlands, XenoGesis in the United Kingdom, the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute in Switzerland, the University of Basil in Switzerland, the Art of Discovery in Spain, Medicines for Malaria Venture in Switzerland, and Hermkens Pharma Consultancy in the Netherlands contributed to the work.

Source: Penn State

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Anti-psoriasis compound could lead to new drug for malaria - Futurity: Research News

Guselkumab administered at 100 mg for 5 weeks and then every 8 weeks was superior to secukinumab at 300 mg for 5 weeks and then every 4 weeks in inducing a 90% reduction in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 90) response at 48-week follow-up, a phase 3 study in the Lancet suggests.

Patients aged 18 years who had moderate to severe plaque-type psoriasis were enrolled in the trial. The study was a comparator-controlled analysis conducted at 142 outpatient centers in nine countries. Only patients who were candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy were eligible to participate. Study investigators randomly assigned patients to either 100 mg guselkumab at week 0 and week 4 and then every 8 weeks (n=534) or 300 mg secukinumab at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, and then every 4 weeks (n=514).

The proportion of patients who achieved a 90% reduction in PASI 90 response at week 48 comprised the primary endpoint. Additional secondary endpoints included the proportion of patients who achieved a PASI 75 response at weeks 12 and 48, PASI 90 response at week 12, PASI 75 response at week 12, PASI 100 response at week 48, Investigators Global Assessment score of 0 (cleared) at 48 weeks, and Investigators Global Assessment score of 0 or 1 (minimal) at 48 weeks. In patients who received 1 dose of their assigned study drug from week 0 to week 56, safety was also assessed.

At 48 weeks, a higher proportion of patients who achieved a PASI 90 response was observed in the guselkumab group vs the secukinumab group (84% vs 70%, respectively; P <.0001). Guselkumab was noninferior to secukinumab in terms of the proportion of patients who achieved a PASI 75 response at both week 12 and week 48 (85% vs 80%, respectively; treatment difference, 4.3 percentage points; 95% CI, 0.2 to 8.9; P <.0001). The researchers were unable to establish superiority of guselkumab for PASI 75 at these time points (P =.0616). There was no difference between the groups with regard to the rate of adverse events, infections, or serious adverse events.

Limitations of the study were the lack of assessment of drug concentrations as well as the data projecting longer than 1 year.

The researchers added that blocking the regulatory capacity of the [interleukin]-23 pathway with guselkumab rather than directly targeting interleukin-17A with secukinumab might be useful for maintaining a durable response and preventing recurrence of disease in patients with psoriasis.

Disclosure: Several study authors declared affiliations with the pharmaceutical industry. Please see the original reference for a full list of authors disclosures.

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Reference

Reich K, Armstrong AW, Langley RG, et al. Guselkumab versus secukinumab for the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis (ECLIPSE): results from a phase 3, randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2019;394(10201):831-839.

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Guselkumab Demonstrates Superiority to Secukinumab for Reducing Psoriasis Area and Severity - Dermatology Advisor

In the United States, patients with psoriasis have a 2-fold higher risk for mortality compared with individuals without psoriasis, a study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology suggests. The risk for mortality in these patients appears to be partially mediated by the higher prevalence of infectious, cardiovascular, and neoplastic disorders that are frequently observed in patients with psoriasis.

The ongoing, cross-sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was used to identify patients aged >10 years with self-reported psoriasis (n=347) and control patients without psoriasis (n=12,684). Only individuals who participated in the NHANES between 2003 and 2006, as well as 2009 and 2010, were included in the retrospective study.

Medical history questionnaires were used to assess participants comorbidities, including history of cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus. Data linked from national databases were examined to identify associated mortality rates.

The presence of psoriasis was associated with a 1.99-fold higher risk for mortality during a 52.3-month follow-up period compared with nonpsoriatic control patients (hazard ratio, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.01-3.93; P =.047), according to the adjusted analysis. Female sex and income were associated with a lower mortality risk, whereas smoking and increasing age drove the higher risk for mortality. Comorbidities that partially mediated the increased risk for mortality in patients with psoriasis included cardiovascular disease (15.5%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (8.7%), cancer (11.7%), diabetes mellitus (5.9%), chronic kidney disease (4.2%), and stroke (4.7%).

Limitations of the analysis include its retrospective nature, as well as the self-reported nature of some of the data.

Considering the different guidelines and use of systemic therapies between countries, the researchers wrote, future population-based studies investigating the effect of systemic therapies on mortality risk are essential for understanding the long-term effects of these medications.

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Reference

Semenov YR, Herbosa CM, Rogers AT, et al. Psoriasis and mortality in the US: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey [published online August 12, 2019]. J Am Acad Dermatol. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.08.011

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Patients With Psoriasis Have 2-Fold Higher Risk of Mortality - Dermatology Advisor

Johnson & Johnson JNJ submitted a supplemental biologics license application (sBLA)to the FDA, seeking approval to expand the label of itsIL-23 inhibitor Tremfya as a treatment for active psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

The sBLA filing was based on data from the phase III DISCOVER 1 and 2 studies, which evaluated the safety and efficacy of Tremfya compared to placebo for treating adult patients with PsA.

In June, J&Js subsidiary, Janssenhad announced top-line results from the studies, which evaluated Tremfya administered by subcutaneous injection. The studies met the primary endpoint of achieving American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement while the safety profile was consistent with the previous programs on Tremfya/guselkumab.

J&J expects to file a similar regulatory application with the European Medicines Agency by the end of this year.

J&Js stock has risen 0.4% this year so far against a decrease of 1.9% recorded by the industry.

Tremfya was first approved in the United States and the EU in 2017 for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and was off to a solid start after its launch.

The drug recorded sales of $452 million in the first half of 2019. If approved by the FDA for PsA, Tremfya will be the first IL-23 inhibitorto be approved to treat this complex inflammatory disease, which causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints. It will expand the drugs eligible patient population and should boost its sales.

Tremfya has proved its superiority over other drugs in the past. Last December, J&J announced results from a head-to-head phase III ECLIPSE study, which compared Tremfya with Novartis' NVS psoriasis drug, Cosentyx (secukinumab).

Data from the study showed that after a 48-week treatment, 84.5% of the patients treated with Tremfya achieved 90% improvement in disease symptoms as measured by the Psoriasis Area Severity Index in comparison to 70% achieved by Novartis' Cosentyx.

The drug is also being studied for various other indications including phase IIb/III studies in Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis and in a phase II study for hidradenitis suppurativa.

J&J currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked large-cap pharma stocks include Roche Holding AG RHHBY and Merck MRK, both with a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Shares of Roche have gained 10.8% this year so far. Earnings estimates for 2019 have risen 0.8% while that for 2020 have increased 2% over the past 60 days.

Mercks stock is up 7.3% this year so far. Its earnings estimates have risen 3.6% for 2019 and 1.3% for 2020 over the past 60 days.

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J&J Files sBLA for Tremfya With FDA for Psoriatic Arthritis - Yahoo Finance

Johnson & Johnson has submitted an application to the FDA for the approval of Tremfya in psoriatic arthritis, which could further congest an intensely competitive therapy area.

Tremfya (guselkumab) is Janssens follow-up to IL-23/IL-12 inhibitor blockbuster Stelara (ustekinumab), which has faced competition from rival new treatments across immunology indications.

This includes Novartis Consentyx (secukinumab), AbbVies Skyrizi (risankizumab), Eli Lillys Taltz (ixekizumab) and Pfizers Xeljanz (tofacitinib citrate) , which are all already approved in psoriatic arthritis.

The application to the FDA is based on thetop line results from the pivotal phase 3 trials of Tremfya, DISCOVER-1 and DISCOVER-2.

The drug hit its primary endpoint of ACR20 response at week 24, and multiple secondary endpoints including ACR50/70, resolution of soft tissue inflammation (enthesitis and dactylitis), disease activity (DAS-28 CRP), improvement in physical function (HAQ-DI), skin clearance (IGA) and quality of life (SF-36 PCS and MCS).

DISCOVER-2 also assessed the effect on structural damage using the van der Heide-Sharp score as a key endpoint. DISCOVER-1 studied Tremfya in 381 participants, including some who were previously treated with anti-TNF biologics, and the duration of the study was 52 weeks. DISCOVER-2 included 739 biologic-naive participants, and continued up to 100 weeks.

J&J will face tough competition from other psoriasis therapies, including Novartis Cosentyx. The two drugs both treat psoriasis by targeting interleukins involved in the inflammatory process, with Consentyx targeting IL-17 and Tremfya inhibiting IL-23, and they are among a crowd of new biologic therapies vying for market share in the psoriasis category.

Despite the competition, Tremfya is still a source of growth for J&J sales of Tremfya, which came to market in 2017, totalled $452m over the first half of 2019. With a successfulhead-to-head trial against Novartis Cosentyx in plaque psoriasis under its belt, J&Js drug has been established as a significant contender in the crowded field of psoriasis drugs.

However, J&J has been subject to another head-to-head trial Eli Lillys Taltzoutperformed Tremfya in a post-marketing trial in patients plaque psoriasis.

Taltz already has a large portion of the market share, having generated sales of $606m over the first half of 2019, which suggests full-year revenues will beat the $938m it brought in last year.

Lillys Taltz has also been proved to be superior to market leader Humira (adalimumab), in reducing psoriatic arthritis activity by half, and also completely cleared patients skin after 24 weeks. These factors could damage Tremfyas uptake in this indication, if approved, but its already established presence in the field could counteract this.

AbbVies Humira and J&Js Stelara have remained blockbuster drugs, partly due to their ability to rapidly clear up 75% of lesions in most patients.

J&J is also set to submit a marketing application to the European Medicines Agency for Tremfya in the same indication before the end of the year.

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J&J's Tremfya filed for approval in US for psoriatic arthritis - PMLiVE

Cayenne pepper is more than just another spice since it has been providingmany medicinal benefits for thousands of years. The healing properties come from an active component of the chili pepper called capsaicin, which provides the hot taste. The level of spice corresponds to the amount of capsaicin it contains, therefore beinghealthierif morecapsaicinis present.

However, cayenne pepper is moderately hot in general. Introduced to European continent by Christopher Columbus in the 15th century, it was grown originally in Central and South America. Nowadays, you can grow cayenne pepper seedlings in your balcony or garden.

Cayenne peppers can be eaten in natural, powdered, cream and capsule form. It has a rich nutritional profile with one tablespoon or 5 grams of pepper containing 17 calories, 44 percent of the required daily intake (RDI) of vitamin A, 8 percent of vitamin E, 7 percent of vitamin C and 6 percent of the vitamin B6. Here are some of the major health benefits of incorporating cayenne peppers into your meals.

Anti-Cancer Properties

Capsaicin is the ingredient that helps reduce the risk of cancers such as lung, pancreatic, prostate and skin cancer. It attacks the cancer cells' growth process from all of its pathways. A study conducted by the University of California proved this. So far, the findings are limited to animal and laboratory studies. More studies based on human beings are required for further verification.

Brings Down Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causesinflammation on the skin due to excessive skin production. It manifests in the form of scaly skin with white itchy patches. According to Dr.Axe.com, two trials involving the topical application of capsaicin cream of just 0.025 percent was successful in healing somepsoriasis wounds. During a six weeks period, 44 patients had shown a decrease of psoriasis symptoms such as scaling and redness.

The next study consisted of 197 patients who were similarly treated topically with capsaicin cream four times every day for six week showed a similar reduction in skin destruction.Capsaicin also helped in bringing down the amount of substance P, a small peptide, that is involved in the formation of psoriasis.

Relieves Joint and Nerve Pain

Substance P is released in abnormal amounts in people with fibromyalgia. It is a neurotransmitter that signals pain to the brain. When there are fewersignals, small amounts of substance P is produced, whichmeans there is lesspain experienced.Cayenne pepper has the power to alleviate pain when applied on the skin to treat osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, nerve damage and lower back injuries.

Supports Weight Loss and Aids Digestion

Cayenne pepper reduces appetite and helps promote weight loss if consumed for breakfast. It also burns fat by increasing the heat generated by the body internally, which eventually leads to an increase in the metabolic rate.

Cayenne pepper increases the production of saliva in the salivary glands, which is the first crucial step in the digestive process. It also helps generate gastric juices that aid the digestive process too. The peppers help flush out toxins out of the body and produce a detoxifying effect.

Helps Overcome Cold and Flu

Cayenne pepperis a source of vitamin C, which could help reduce the cold accompanying a flu. It is also a natural remedy for the flu because it helps in decongesting the mucus and helps it exit the body.Also, its antioxidants could boost your immune system.

Hot Cayenne chili peppers are displayed at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Harvest Festival Show on October 9, 2013 in London, England. The nation's enthusiasts are showcasing their finest home grown fruit and vegetables for two days at the RHS Horticultural Hall. Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

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Cayenne Pepper Relieves Joint Pain, Treats Psoriasis And Other Health Benefits - Medical Daily

Despite all the fame and money which comes your way, bad health has a way of striking on your doors when you are least expecting it. Kim Kardashian knows this very well.Hollywood celebrity, reality TV star, and entrepreneur, Kim Kardashian recently opened up about receiving a "scary" health diagnosis from her doctor which made her question her life choices and worry what the future held for her.In one of the episodes of her show, Kim can be seen paying a visit to the doctor's clinic, where she received a rather scary diagnosis about contracting lupus, which later turned out to be false. As the mother of four said, she had been feeling a certain numbness in her hands and felt really tired of late, making her worry:

Ive been feeling so tired, so nauseous and my hands are really getting swollen, she said. I feel like I literally am falling apart. My hands are numb. Lately, my wrists are starting to hurt again but its definitely a different feeling, she said. I feel this in my bones. Its starting to really worry me. I really have to look into this. Based on the symptoms, it looks like I have rheumatoid arthritis. Its so scary. So I have to go to the doctor and see whats going on because I cant live like this.

The 38-year-old star also talked about how the diagnosis made her question her life choices. She also said that the lupus diagnosis made her undergo depression.

'When you do have a diagnosis, or you get tested for something and you get a result that you weren't expecting, you definitely get in your head and for a second you kinda get this little depression of, like, "OK, what are all of the possibilities that can happen?"' the star said.

'"What's my life gonna look like? I really wanna be active for my kids." And so it triggers something,'

However, she took it in her stride and decided to look at the positive side of life for the sake of her four kids and family. In an interview, she added:

No matter what's going on in your life, you can take that time to grieve for a second and then figure out how to be positive about it because it's not going to change. 'There's no point in being depressed and staying in that headspace, but I felt it for a minute", she added.

Kim, who has been a patient of psoriasis for a long time now had to go through screenings and tests, which revealed that she tested positive for certain antibodies responsible for the spread of lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

However, the diagnosis proved to be false and Kim breathed a sigh of relief. While she did test positive for some antibodies, it was later revealed that she was suffering from psoriatic arthritis, a less severe form of arthritis.

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Kim Kardashian diagnosed of psoriatic arthritis. Here is what it is - Times of India

Last week's episode of "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" (KUWTK) sparked concerns about Kim Kardashian-West. She got tested for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis then was diagnosed with a different condition.

Kim has psoriatic arthritis. It is a form of inflammatory arthritis affecting people with psoriasis and causes red patches of skin topped with silvery scales.

Prior to her diagnosis, the mother of four and wife of rapper Kanye West has been vocal about her psoriasis in previous episodes of KUWTK.

Psoriatic arthritis affects any part of the body, from fingertips to the spine. It may cause joint pain, stiffness and swelling.

Kim decided to meet a doctor to check her condition after experiencing numbness in her hands. She also reported feeling tired and nauseous and having swollen hands.

I feel like I literally am falling apart. My hands are numb. Lately, my wrists are starting to hurt again but its definitely a different feeling, she said as quoted by Womens Health. I feel this in my bones. Its starting to really worry me. I really have to look into this.

Kim initially suspected that she had rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. But the doctor who checked her did not find signs of the disease.

However, she appeared with symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. The doctor said the condition commonly comes and goes, which explains the pain and changes on Kims body.

Psoriatic arthritis commonly affects people at ages between 30 and 50, according to the American College of Rheumatology. But this condition can be tricky and sometimes hard to detect because of common symptoms that also appear in other conditions.

Psoriatic Arthritis Facts You Need to Know

No Cure

Psoriatic arthritis can be disabling if left untreated. However there is no cure available for this condition, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Doctors commonly recommend over-the-counter anti-inflammatories or prescription anti-rheumatic drugs to control its symptoms and protect the joints.

Psoriatic Arthritis Can Cause Sausage-Like Swelling

Some people who develop psoriatic arthritis may experience painful, sausage-like swelling of fingers and toes. It may also lead to deformities in both hands and feet. The pain can travel to tendons, ligaments and lower back.

Psoriatic Arthritis Cause Still a Mystery

Health experts said they have yet to fully understand how psoriatic arthritis occurs. Studies suggested it begins when the immune system attacks healthy cells and tissue, which triggers inflammation in the joints and overproduction of skin cells.

However, the question remains of why the immune system starts the abnormal response.

Family History Plays a Role

Scientists said there can be genetic factors contributing to psoriatic arthritis. A number of studies showed that many people with close relatives who developed the condition also appeared with psoriatic arthritis later in life.

Meanwhile, Kim did not look at her condition as very serious problem. She said she was relieved that this is just psoriatic arthritis.

The pain is going to come and go sometimes, she said. But I can manage it and this isnt going to stop me.

TV personality Kim Kardashian attends the 2018 MTV Movie And TV Awards at Barker Hangar on June 16, 2018 in Santa Monica, California. There are simple ways to spot the early signs of psoriasis when one has a chronic or seasonal dry skin, which may appear similar to the disease. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

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Psoriatic Arthritis: Facts About Kim Kardashian-Wests Disease Following Diagnosis - Medical Daily

After being recognized with psoriatic arthritis, fearing it was lupus, Kim Kardashian has opened up about her battle with psoriasis, sharing a defiant selfie throughout a flare up.

The 38-year-old star has battled the autoimmune situation for a while, nevertheless right this moment she shared an in depth and private essay about her journey with the sickness.

Writing on her sister Kourtneys way of life web site Poosh, Kim revealed she first began to get psoriasis signs on her twenties, when a standard chilly triggered the situation and he or she had it all over her stomach and legs, earlier than it got here again with a vengeance in her thirties.

Earlier this year is when it got extremely badit covered my whole face and a majority of my entire body, the 38-year-old informed readers.

Sharing a group of photographs of her flare ups, she needed to indicate everybody what she goes by way of, with painful trying marks and purple scabs dominating her legs.

It was shedding the motion in her arms as a result of situation that had Kim getting the assessments we noticed in a current episode of Preserving Up With The Kardashians.

One night, I woke up to use the restroom and I physically couldnt decide up my telephone. I assumed it was unusual however possibly I simply slept on my arms bizarre and I used to be so drained, I didnt must be checking my telephone at that hour anyway. I fell proper again asleep, she wrote.

I woke up that morning and I still couldnt decide up my telephone. I used to be freaking outI couldnt even decide up a toothbrush, my arms damage so badly.

She went on to disclose the ache as soon as turned so unhealthy she wasnt in a position to do up her bra earlier than an occasion.

Fearing the worst, she knew one thing was improper and it wasnt simply on the skin-level anymore.

I remember I had a press day for my Carolina Lemke sunglasses and I was wearing these purple boots and snake-print pants and I couldnt get my pants all the way down to go to the toilet, she wrote.

I couldnt even get my bra on that day, and I needed to have somebody gown me as a result of the ache was so insufferable. With the boots I used to be sporting, my ankles began to really feel it in these joints. Thats once I knew it wasnt simply a problem in my arms, it was a bone drawback.

Now, Kim admits shes come to phrases with the situation, wanting to indicate it off solely eager to cowl it up when she doesnt need it to be a distraction.

Her admission comes days after the most recent episode of her E! actuality present, the place we see Kim obtain her check outcomes.

The physician recognized her with a kind arthritis brought on by psoriasis, and never lupus. Consequently, her joints are affected, inflicting them to grow to be swollen, stiff and painful.

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Kim Kardashian gets brutally honest about her psoriasis as she shares defiant photos of sores - Herald Publicist