Sareum in psoriasis drug breakthrough

A transatlantic collaboration between scientists at Sareum in Cambridge UK and colleagues at the US research institute SRI International, holds potential for a novel psoriasis therapy.

They have developed a novel molecule that significantly decreases psoriasis pathology in a disease model a breakthrough reported in the latest edition of the Journal of Immunology.

The potential psoriasis therapy targets members of the JAK family of kinase enzymes, which control the production of cytokines. Cytokines are signalling molecules produced by the immune system, usually in response to a danger such as invading pathogens.

Cytokines responsible for psoriasis are thought to be controlled by JAK family kinases TYK2 and JAK1. Autoimmune diseases, such as psoriasis, can occur when the production of cytokines is not properly regulated and immune cells are overly activated.

In the psoriasis model system, the TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor molecule, known as SAR-20347, interrupted the psoriatic cascade of events and led to reduced activation of keratinocytes (skin cells that multiply excessively in psoriasis) and a reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokine levels.

Sareum and SRI International entered into a co-development agreement to develop TYK2 inhibitors for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases in April 2013.

Sareum's CEO Dr Tim Mitchell, said: The work reported in this publication exemplifies the success of the collaboration and the quality of research by the scientists involved. I look forward to discussing these latest advances with potential licensing partners.

Annalisa D'Andrea, senior director of Center for Immunology and Infectious Diseases in SRI's Biosciences Division, added: While we are still in the early stages of research, our success so far is encouraging, and we plan to pursue other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases that might be treated by TYK2 inhibition.

We hope to expand our TYK2-inhibitor program to address other autoimmune diseases, such as sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

AIM-listed Sareum is a drug discovery and development company delivering targeted small molecule therapeutics, focusing on cancer and autoimmune disease, for licensing to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies at the pre-clinical or early clinical trials stage.

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Sareum in psoriasis drug breakthrough

Ask Dr. Bob: Psoriasis, Candida, Post Brain Tumor & Iodine, Grinding Teeth & More – Video


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Womans Skin Condition Drives Her To Point Of No Return (Photos)

A nurse committed suicide because she could not live with having psoriasis.

Hollie McEwen, 28, committed suicide by hanging in her home. Her family believes it was her chronic psoriasis that led to her suicide.

Her condition played a large part in what she decided to do, said Hollies father, Andrew. She was a beautiful, vibrant young woman who felt she couldn't deal with the condition. She felt this was the only way out.

Hollie was first diagnosed with psoriasis, a skin disease characterized by red, scaly patches, papules, and plaques that usually cause itching, when she was 12 months old. At that point, however, treatment kept it controlled.

It later reappeared due to stress and caused Hollie to suffer from depression, reports The Daily Mail. She killed herself just two days after seeking treatment for depression.

(via The Daily Mail)

Her skin condition played a large part in her problems as a teenager and when older I feel this was at the root of all the problems, said her mother Wendy.

Hollie had undergone treatment for psoriasis over the past two years, including hospital stays and steroids after suffering from anxiety attacks.

Letters Hollie wrote to her loved ones were found in her home.

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Womans Skin Condition Drives Her To Point Of No Return (Photos)

Chronic Psoriasis Leads Nurse To Commit Suicide

A nurse committed suicide because she could not live with having psoriasis.

Hollie McEwen, 28, committed suicide by hanging in her home. Her family believes it was her chronic psoriasis that led to her suicide.

Her condition played a large part in what she decided to do, said Hollies father, Andrew. She was a beautiful, vibrant young woman who felt she couldn't deal with the condition. She felt this was the only way out.

Hollie was first diagnosed with psoriasis, a skin disease characterized by red, scaly patches, papules, and plaques that usually cause itching, when she was 12 months old. At that point, however, treatment kept it controlled.

It later reappeared due to stress and caused Hollie to suffer from depression, reports The Daily Mail. She killed herself just two days after seeking treatment for depression.

(via The Daily Mail)

Her skin condition played a large part in her problems as a teenager and when older I feel this was at the root of all the problems, said her mother Wendy.

Hollie had undergone treatment for psoriasis over the past two years, including hospital stays and steroids after suffering from anxiety attacks.

Letters Hollie wrote to her loved ones were found in her home.

Read more here:

Chronic Psoriasis Leads Nurse To Commit Suicide

Celgene's Otezla Label Expanded to Include Plaque Psoriasis – Analyst Blog

Celgene Corporation ( CELG ) announced a label expansion for its drug Otezla in the U.S. Otezla, already approved by the FDA for treating adults suffering from active psoriatic arthritis, can now be used in treatment-nave as well treatment experienced patients suffering from moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The FDA approved the drug, an oral and selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), to treat those patients for whom phototherapy or systemic therapy is suitable.

Celgene said that following the FDA nod, Otezla becomes the first inhibitor in the above category to gain approval in the U.S. for the plaque psoriasis indication. Currently, psoriasis patients are mostly treated with injectable drugs like AbbVie's ( ABBV ) Humira and Amgen's ( AMGN ) Enbrel.

The FDA cleared Otezla for the new indication primarily on the basis of encouraging data from two multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies - ESTEEM 1 and ESTEEM 2. The U.S. regulatory body, however, recommended that patients taking Otezla should have their body weights monitored on a regular basis. Moreover, patients with a history of depression or suicidal behavior should inform the same to their doctors before commencing Otezla therapy.

We remind investors that Otezla gained FDA approval for the psoriatic arthritis indication in March this year (read more: Update on Celgene's Product Portfolio ). The drug contributed $5 million to Celgene's top line in the second quarter of 2014. Approval for the additional indication, which offers significant commercial potential, will boost Otezla's sales going forward. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, the immune-mediated, non-contagious chronic inflammatory skin disorder affects 7.5 million Americans.

Celgene is seeking EU approval for Otezla in the combined psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis indication, with an opinion from the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use expected by Dec 31, 2014. The candidate is further being evaluated for treating patients suffering from Behet's disease (phase III expected to commence by year end), ulcerative colitis (phase II b expected to commence by year end) and atopic dermatitis (phase II).

Celgene carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Better-ranked stocks in the health care space include Gilead Sciences ( GILD ) and Medivation ( MDVN ). Both the stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

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Celgene's Otezla Label Expanded to Include Plaque Psoriasis - Analyst Blog

Celgene Wins U.S. Approval of New Psoriasis Pill

Celgene Corp. (CELG) won U.S. approval for its drug to treat the skin disease psoriasis, a medicine that will compete with injections that now generate billions of dollars in sales each year.

The Food and Drug Administration cleared Otezla for people with moderate to severe psoriasis, Celgene said today in a statement. Psoriasis is the most common autoimmune disease in the U.S., affecting 7.5 million Americans, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. The agency in March authorized the treatment, also known as apremilast, to combat a related condition.

Psoriasis causes raised, red, scaly patches on the skin. Its commonly treated with injections, including AbbVie Inc. (ABBV)s Humira, and Enbrel from Amgen Inc. (AMGN) and Pfizer Inc. (PFE) Otezla is expected to generate $1.03 billion in sales in 2017, according to the average of 11 analysts estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

Otezla offers an important new treatment option for patients whose symptoms are not adequately improving with their current treatments, M. Shane Chapman, section chief of dermatology at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, said in the statement. Because the product labeling does not require routine laboratory monitoring, oral Otezla may be a welcome new option for patients and physicians looking for a different treatment experience.

Celgene, the Summit, New Jersey-based maker of the cancer drug Revlimid, rose 1 percent to $93.12 at the close in New York. The companys shares have gained 27 percent in the past 12 months.

The FDA approved Otezla this year to treat psoriatic arthritis, which causes painful, stiff and swollen joints and occurs in about 30 percent of people who suffer from psoriasis. The drug is associated with an increased risk of depression. Common side effects include diarrhea, headache and nausea.

Celgene is studying Otezla for use against other diseases as well, including rheumatoid arthritis and another form of arthritis that can lead to a new bone formation on the spine, called ankylosing spondylitis. The company said in June the drug failed to significantly help patients in a trial with ankylosing spondylitis.

To contact the reporter on this story: Anna Edney in Washington at aedney@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Reg Gale at rgale5@bloomberg.net Drew Armstrong, Andrew Pollack

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Celgene Wins U.S. Approval of New Psoriasis Pill

Nurse Hollie McEwen hanged herself after becoming tormented by chronic psoriasis

Hollie McEwen fell into depression after suffering from severe psoriasis The 'beautiful, vibrant' 28-year-old had first class honours degree in nursing She was found hanged after she became tormented by the skin condition Inquest heard skin condition played a 'large part' in what she decided to do Medical professionals had prescribed her drugs to help combat depression

By Corey Charlton for MailOnline

Published: 05:08 EST, 24 September 2014 | Updated: 12:06 EST, 24 September 2014

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A health visitor with a first class honours degree in nursing was found hanged after she became tormented by her severe skin condition.

Hollie McEwen, a dedicated professional, first suffered psoriasis as a 12-month-old but it eased with treatment.

However, it later reappeared due to stress and the 28-year-old became so depressed she took her own life at home.

Her father Andrew told an inquest: 'Her condition played a large part in what she decided to do.

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Nurse Hollie McEwen hanged herself after becoming tormented by chronic psoriasis

Is Psoriasis Contagious? Why it Happens and 2 Ideas on Stopping It! – Video


Is Psoriasis Contagious? Why it Happens and 2 Ideas on Stopping It!
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Is Psoriasis Contagious? Why it Happens and 2 Ideas on Stopping It! - Video