National Psoriasis Foundation’s Patient Registry Begins Recruiting

Individuals with psoriasis and their healthcare providers will have the opportunity to participate in research that aims to improve treatments and disease outcomes when the first independent US psoriasis registry begins recruiting patients in 2015. The registry, a joint collaboration with the National Psoriasis Foundation (www.psoriasis.org) and Corrona, LLC, will initially track the drug safety reporting for secukinumab (Cosentyx, Novartis Pharmaceuticals) for moderate-to-severe psoriasis. The Corrona Psoriasis Registry will enroll at least 3,000 people with psoriasis on secukinumab and follow their treatment for at least eight years. Novartis is the first subscriber to the registry and did incur a subscriber fee.

By collecting and analyzing data from thousands of people with psoriasis over many years, the registry will help clinicians, researchers and the pharmaceutical industry compare the effectiveness and safety of different psoriasis treatments. Data will be gathered through comprehensive questionnaires completed by patients and their dermatologists during appointments. In addition to studying treatment safety and effectiveness, the registry will help identify possible causes of psoriasis, examine the relationship between psoriasis and other health conditions, and study the impact of the disease on quality of life, among other outcomes.

To become an investigator in the registry or learn more about it, visit www.psoriasis.org/corrona-registry.

Tablet Technologies May Be Effective at Tracking and Measuring Disease Progression and Improvement from Treatment

Findings from a pilot study indicate that tablet technologies can be useful in measuring and tracking disease progression and improvement from treatment. Investigators treated 28 patients with plaque psoriasis enrolled with clobetasol propionate 0.05% spray (CPS) twice daily for 15 days, using a tablet-based system to record target lesion severity and effectiveness scores. They also used tablets to take photos of the target lesion to capture photographic evidence of improvement. Investigator and subject assessed target lesion severity and effectiveness scores improved during the study from baseline to day 15. Very few technological failures were reported and captured photographs were consistent visit to visit and of high quality. In addition to confirming the safety and efficacy of CPS in the treatment for plaque psoriasis, the study supports the use of a tablet-based system to measure and track plaque psoriasis disease progression.

—J Drugs Dermatol. 2015;14(3):236-241.

Chronic Stress and Burnout Linked to Quality of Life in Psoriasis Patients

Chronic stress and burnout have appreciable influence on quality of life and may adversely affect treatment success in psoriasis patients, according to results of a new study. Using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and patients’ self-evaluation at the beginning and end of treatment, investigators assessed 84 psoriasis patients in a three-week inpatient rehabilitation measure for symptoms of chronic stress and burnout experience, as well as depression. Results revealed that chronic stress, burnout experience, and perceived symptom severity—but not clinician-assessed severity of psoriasis—had independent negative effects on health related quality of life. Patients who achieved a PASI reduction of less than 75 percent at discharge from the rehabilitation measure had lower baseline quality of life and showed more symptoms of depression, chronic stress, and burnout than patients who achieved PASI 75. In their conclusion, the authors emphasized the importance of a multidimensional approach in the management of psoriasis.

—J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2015 Mar 2.

Biologics: Safe for Pediatric Psoriasis?

Although biologic agents are not approved for the treatment of psoriasis in children (with etanercept being the only agent approved in the European Union with this indication), a new review finds that they may, in fact, be both safe and effective. Using case reports, case series, and a large clinical trial of the use of etanercept, the authors noted that data on the use of the tumor necrosis factor-antagonists etanercept, adalimumab, and infliximab in the treatment of other inflammatory diseases in children—namely Crohn’s disease, juvenile arthritis, and uveitis—support their efficacy and safety profile in the treatment of psoriasis.

—Pediatr Dermatol. 2015 Feb 26.

By the Numbers

80 The rough percentage of PASI 75 rates achieved in patients treated with IL-17 inhibitors (secukinumab, ixekizumab, and brodalumab), according to a newly published review of clinical studies to date. Co-authored by Practical Dermatology® contributor and Editorial Board member Jerry Bagel, MD, the article reviews evidence for the central role of IL-17 in the pathophysiology of psoriasis. The authors conclude based on the current data that IL-17 agents offer a favorable safety profile and the potential for better efficacy over the previous generation of agents.

— J Drugs Dermatol. 2015. March 1: 14(3): 244-250

Going Deep with Biologics

“The biggest challenge with getting the biologics approved is that if you actually mention psoriatic arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, you immediately get a denial saying you have to fail DMARDs. Personally, I don’t ask about it, I don’t document it. I’ll go with psoriasis and you can immediately jump to the biologics—if they’ve failed other therapies—relatively easily.”

—James Ulery, MD

In the latest edition of Derm Insider, available on DermTube.com, host Neal Bhatia, MD tackles the evolving systemic treatment landscape for psoriasis with guests Alice Gottlieb, MD, Harold Farber, MD, and James Ulery, MD. Focusing on biologic therapies, they discuss the latest data on new and investigational agents, off-label uses, as well as practical treatment challenges such as cost and insurance reimbursement. To view the episode, visit dermtube.com/series/derm-insider/