Efalizumab for patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis: a randomized controlled trial

Targeted therapy for immune mediated skin diseases. What should a dermatologist know?

BACKGROUND

Molecularly targeted therapies, such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and Janus Kinase inhibitors (JAKis), have emerged as essential tools in the treatment of dermatological diseases. These therapies modulate the immune system through specific signaling pathways, providing effective alternatives to traditional systemic immunosuppressive agents. This review aims to provide an updated summary of targeted immune therapies for inflammatory skin diseases, considering their pathophysiology, efficacy, dosage, and safety profiles.

METHODS

The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A systematic search was conducted on PubMed over the past 10 years, focusing on randomized clinical trials, case reports, and case series related to targeted immune therapies in dermatology. Eligibility criteria were applied, and data were extracted from each study, including citation data, study design, and results.

RESULTS

We identified 1360 non-duplicate articles with the initial search strategy. Title and abstract review excluded 1150, while a full-text review excluded an additional 50 articles. The review included 143 studies published between 2012 and 2022, highlighting 39 drugs currently under investigation or in use for managing inflammatory skin diseases.

STUDY LIMITATIONS

The heterogeneity of summarized information limits this review. Some recommendations originated from data from clinical trials, while others relied on retrospective analyses and small case series. Recommendations will likely be updated as new results emerge.

CONCLUSION

Targeted therapies have revolutionized the treatment of chronic skin diseases, offering new options for patients unresponsive to standard treatments. Paradoxical reactions are rarely observed. Further studies are needed to fully understand the mechanisms and nature of these therapies. Overall, targeted immune therapies in dermatology represent a promising development, significantly improving the quality of life for patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases.

A systematic review of 454 randomized controlled trials using the Dermatology Life Quality Index: experience in 69 diseases and 43 countries

BACKGROUND

Over 29 years of clinical application, the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) has remained the most used patient-reported outcome (PRO) in dermatology due to its robustness, simplicity and ease of use.

OBJECTIVES

To generate further evidence of the DLQI's utility in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and to cover all diseases and interventions.

METHODS

The methodology followed PRISMA guidelines and included seven bibliographical databases, searching articles published from 1 January 1994 until 16 November 2021. Articles were reviewed independently by two assessors, and an adjudicator resolved any opinion differences.

RESULTS

Of 3220 screened publications, 454 articles meeting the eligibility criteria for inclusion, describing research on 198 190 patients, were analysed. DLQI scores were primary endpoints in 24 (5.3%) of studies. Most studies were of psoriasis (54.1%), although 69 different diseases were studied. Most study drugs were systemic (85.1%), with biologics comprising 55.9% of all pharmacological interventions. Topical treatments comprised 17.0% of total pharmacological interventions. Nonpharmacological interventions, mainly laser therapy and ultraviolet radiation treatment, comprised 12.2% of the total number of interventions. The majority of studies (63.7%) were multicentric, with trials conducted in at least 42 different countries; 40.2% were conducted in multiple countries. The minimal clinically importance difference (MCID) was reported in the analysis of 15.0% of studies, but only 1.3% considered full score meaning banding of the DLQI. Forty-seven (10.4%) of the studies investigated statistical correlation of the DLQI with clinical severity assessment or other PRO/quality of life tools; and 61-86% of studies had within-group scores differences greater than the MCID in 'active treatment arms'. The Jadad risk-of-bias scale showed that bias was generally low, as 91.8% of the studies had Jadad scores of ≥ 3; only 0.4% of studies showed a high risk of bias from randomization. Thirteen per cent had a high risk of bias from blinding and 10.1% had a high risk of bias from unknown outcomes of all participants in the studies. In 18.5% of the studies the authors declared that they followed an intention-to-treat protocol; imputation for missing DLQI data was used in 34.4% of studies.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review provides a wealth of evidence of the use of the DLQI in clinical trials to inform researchers' and -clinicians' decisions for its further use. Recommendations are also made for improving the reporting of data from future RCTs using the DLQI.

A systematic review investigating at what proportion clinical images are shared in prospective randomized controlled trials involving patients with psoriasis and biological agents

For many patients including those with psoriasis, scientific manuscripts comprising clinical outcomes including psoriasis area severity index (PASI) and/or physician global assessment (PGA) may be difficult to understand. However, most patients can relate to images at baseline and follow-up, particularly for dermatological diseases. This study aimed to assess the proportion of shared clinical images in psoriasis trials. A systematic review adhering to the PRISMA guidelines was performed. The review was limited to randomized controlled trials, and among these, only investigations involving biological agents for treatment of psoriasis were included. The Embase, MEDLINE and Scopus databases were searched for eligible studies published from inception to October 26, 2021. In total, 152 studies were included. When combining these, 62,871 patients were randomized. Overall, 203 images were shared depicting 60 patients in the manuscripts yielding an overall sharing rate of 0.1%. Patient images are seldom incorporated in clinical trial manuscripts which impairs interpretation for patients. Inclusion of image material would strengthen the patients' perspective and understanding on what treatment effects that can be expected. As such, this systematic review should be an invitation to the pharmaceutical industry, other sponsors, and editorial offices to improve easy transfer of information to patients using image data.

A Critical Analysis of the FDA's Omics-Driven Pharmacodynamic Biomarkers to Establish Biosimilarity

Demonstrating biosimilarity entails comprehensive analytical assessment, clinical pharmacology profiling, and efficacy testing in patients for at least one medical indication, as required by the U.S. Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA). The efficacy testing can be waived if the drug has known pharmacodynamic (PD) markers, leaving most therapeutic proteins out of this concession. To overcome this, the FDA suggests that biosimilar developers discover PD biomarkers using omics technologies such as proteomics, glycomics, transcriptomics, genomics, epigenomics, and metabolomics. This approach is redundant since the mode-action-action biomarkers of approved therapeutic proteins are already available, as compiled in this paper for the first time. Other potential biomarkers are receptor binding and pharmacokinetic profiling, which can be made more relevant to ensure biosimilarity without requiring biosimilar developers to conduct extensive research, for which they are rarely qualified.

Targeting integrin pathways: mechanisms and advances in therapy

Integrins are considered the main cell-adhesion transmembrane receptors that play multifaceted roles as extracellular matrix (ECM)-cytoskeletal linkers and transducers in biochemical and mechanical signals between cells and their environment in a wide range of states in health and diseases. Integrin functions are dependable on a delicate balance between active and inactive status via multiple mechanisms, including protein-protein interactions, conformational changes, and trafficking. Due to their exposure on the cell surface and sensitivity to the molecular blockade, integrins have been investigated as pharmacological targets for nearly 40 years, but given the complexity of integrins and sometimes opposite characteristics, targeting integrin therapeutics has been a challenge. To date, only seven drugs targeting integrins have been successfully marketed, including abciximab, eptifibatide, tirofiban, natalizumab, vedolizumab, lifitegrast, and carotegrast. Currently, there are approximately 90 kinds of integrin-based therapeutic drugs or imaging agents in clinical studies, including small molecules, antibodies, synthetic mimic peptides, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, imaging agents, etc. A serious lesson from past integrin drug discovery and research efforts is that successes rely on both a deep understanding of integrin-regulatory mechanisms and unmet clinical needs. Herein, we provide a systematic and complete review of all integrin family members and integrin-mediated downstream signal transduction to highlight ongoing efforts to develop new therapies/diagnoses from bench to clinic. In addition, we further discuss the trend of drug development, how to improve the success rate of clinical trials targeting integrin therapies, and the key points for clinical research, basic research, and translational research.

Gut immune cell trafficking: inter-organ communication and immune-mediated inflammation

Immune cell trafficking is a complex and tightly regulated process that is indispensable for the body's fight against pathogens. However, it is also increasingly acknowledged that dysregulation of cell trafficking contributes to the pathogenesis of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) in gastroenterology and hepatology, such as inflammatory bowel disease and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Moreover, altered cell trafficking has also been implicated as a crucial step in the immunopathogenesis of other IMIDs, such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Over the past few years, a central role of the gut in mediating these disorders has progressively emerged, and the partly microbiota-driven imprinting of particular cell trafficking phenotypes in the intestine seems to be crucially involved. Therefore, this Review highlights achievements in understanding immune cell trafficking to, within and from the intestine and delineates its consequences for immune-mediated pathology along the gut-liver, gut-joint and gut-brain axes. We also discuss implications for current and future therapeutic approaches that specifically interfere with homing, retention, egress and recirculation of immune cells.

Immune Modulation by Antigenic Peptides and Antigenic Peptide Conjugates for Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

The immune system defends our body by fighting infection from pathogens utilizing both the innate and adaptive immune responses. The innate immune response is generated rapidly as the first line of defense. It is followed by the adaptive immune response that selectively targets infected cells. The adaptive immune response is generated more slowly, but selectively, by targeting a wide range of foreign particles (i.e., viruses or bacteria) or molecules that enter the body, known as antigens. Autoimmune diseases are the results of immune system glitches, where the body's adaptive system recognizes self-antigens as foreign. Thus, the host immune system attacks the self-tissues or organs with a high level of inflammation and causes debilitation in patients. Many current treatments for autoimmune diseases (i.e., multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA)) have been effective but lead to adverse side effects due to general immune system suppression, which makes patients vulnerable to opportunistic infections. To counter these negative effects, many different avenues of antigen specific treatments are being developed to selectively target the autoreactive immune cells for a specific self-antigen or set of self-antigens while not compromising the general immune system. These approaches include soluble antigenic peptides, bifunctional peptide inhibitors (BPI) including IDAC and Fc-BPI, polymer conjugates, and peptide-drug conjugates. Here, various antigen-specific methods of potential treatments, their efficacy, and limitations will be discussed along with the potential mechanisms of action.

Endogenous memory T cells with donor-reactivity: early post-transplant mediators of acute graft injury in unsensitized recipients

The pretransplant presence of endogenous donor-reactive memory T cells is an established risk factor for acute rejection and poorer transplant outcomes. A major source of these memory T cells in unsensitized recipients is heterologously generated memory T cells expressing reactivity to donor allogeneic MHC molecules. Multiple clinical studies have shown that the pretransplant presence of high numbers of circulating endogenous donor-reactive memory T cells correlates with higher incidence of acute rejection and decreased graft function during the first-year post-transplant. These findings have spurred investigation in preclinical models to better understand mechanisms underlying endogenous donor-reactive memory T-cell-mediated allograft injury in unsensitized graft recipients. These studies have led to the identification of unique mechanisms underlying the activation of these memory T cells within allografts at early times after transplant. In particular, optimal activation to mediate acute allograft injury is dependent on the intensity of ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Therapeutic strategies directed at the recruitment and activation of endogenous donor-reactive memory T cells are effective in attenuating acute injury in allografts experiencing increased ischaemia-reperfusion injury in preclinical models and should be translatable to clinical transplantation.

Identification of neutrophil β2-integrin LFA-1 as a potential mechanistic biomarker in ANCA-associated vasculitis via microarray and validation analyses

BACKGROUND

Leukocyte activation by anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) and the subsequent leukocyte-endothelium interaction play a key role in the development of endothelial damage in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). In contrast to that of leukocyte activation, the exact role of the leukocyte-endothelium interaction via integrin remains unclear. Here, we performed microarray and validation analyses to explore association between the expression levels of lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) and the clinical characteristics of patients with AAV.

METHODS

We performed gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) to identify the functional gene sets differentially expressed between patients with AAV and other types of vasculitis and the healthy controls (HCs). Flow cytometry was performed to validate the GSEA results. Treatment-naïve patients were monitored until 24 weeks of treatment. To examine the role of LFA-1 in the neutrophil-endothelium interaction, we performed a leukocyte adhesion and transmigration assay using peripheral blood and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

RESULTS

GSEA revealed that the molecular pathways involving integrin-related genes were significantly upregulated in patients with AAV compared to that in patients with other types of vasculitis and the HCs. Flow cytometry revealed that the percentage of neutrophils expressing LFA-1 was significantly higher in patients with AAV than in those with large-vessel vasculitis or polyarteritis nodosa and the HCs. LFA-1 levels in the neutrophils were higher in patients with MPO-ANCA-positive expression than in those with a positive PR3-ANCA expression and correlated with the peripheral eosinophil count, serum rheumatoid factor titre, serum C-reactive protein levels, and the vasculitis activity score of systemic and chest components. After 24 weeks of treatment, including prednisolone, cyclophosphamide, rituximab, azathioprine, methotrexate, and/or tacrolimus, neutrophil LFA-1 expression remained high in the non-responder patients, but decreased in the responder patients. The in vitro assay showed that leukocyte migration toward HUVECs was dependent on the interaction between LFA-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1); the migration of leukocytes was inhibited by blocking the adhesion of LFA-1 to ICAM1.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of LFA-1 in neutrophils is increased in patients with AAV. Neutrophil LFA-1 levels correlate with the clinical features of AAV. Inhibiting the adhesion of LFA-1 and ICAM1 impedes the neutrophil-endothelium interaction and may have a therapeutic role in AAV.

How not to discover a drug - integrins

INTRODUCTION

Integrins are a family of 24 cell adhesion receptors that play a role in the biggest unmet needs in medicine - cardiovascular disease, immunology and cancer. Their discovery promised huge potential for the pharmaceutical industry. Areas covered. Over 35-years since their discovery, there is little to show for the hundreds of billions of dollars of investment in anti-integrin drug discovery programmes. In this review the author discusses the reasons for the failure of this promising class of drugs and the future for this class of drugs. Expert opinion. Within 10-years, there was a plethora of potent, specific anti-integrin molecules and since their discovery, many of these agents have entered clinical trials. The success in discovering these agents was due to recently discovered monoclonal antibody technology. The integrin-recognition domain Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) provided the basis for discovering small molecule inhibitors to integrins - both cyclic peptides and peptidomimetics. Most agents failed in the Phase III clinical trials and those agents that did make it to the market were plagued with issues of toxicity and limited efficacy and were soon replaced with non-integrin targeting agents. Their failure was due to a combination of poor pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, complicated by the complex pathophysiology of integrins.

Placebo Response in Phase 3 Trials of Systemic Therapies for Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Wide fluctuations in placebo responses have been reported in phase 3 trials of systemic therapies for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

METHODS

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we assessed placebo responses in phase 3 trials of systemic therapies for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The medical databases PubMed Medline, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for studies reporting on phase 3 psoriasis trials. A proportion meta-analysis determined the proportion of placebo-treated psoriasis patients obtaining a 75, 90, or 100% reduction in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), that is, PASI75, PASI90, or PASI100, respectively, at week 12. In the assessment of PASI75 response, 44 trials with a total number of 7,972 patients were included.

CONCLUSION

In pooled analyses, 5.2% (95% CI 4.7-5.7%) obtained PASI75, 2.1% (95% CI 1.7-2.4%) obtained PASI90, and 0.3% (95% CI 0.1-0.5%) obtained PASI100 among placebo receivers. No temporal changes were observed. The overall proportion of placebo responders in phase 3 psoriasis trials is low and does not appear to be increasing in recent years.

Hypersensitivity reactions to biologics (part I): allergy as an important differential diagnosis in complex immune-derived adverse events

Purpose

Biotechnological substances (BSs) are strongly relied upon to prevent rejection of transplanted organs, and to treat oncological, allergological, and other inflammatory diseases. Allergic reactions to partly foreign biologics can occur due to their potential immunogenicity. The severity of an immune response to a biological drug may range from no clinical significance to a severe, life-threatening anaphylactic reaction.

Methods

Detailed searches were performed on Pubmed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to include all available publications. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency, and British Columbia Cancer Agency Drug Manual databases were screened for hypersensitivity reaction (HSR), infusion reaction, injection site reaction, urticaria, and anaphylaxis for individual BSs.

Results

Treatment with BSs can cause various types of HSR. These are mentioned in the literature with definitions such as allergic reactions, anaphylactoid reactions, anaphylaxis, HSR, infusion reactions, injection site reactions, cytokine release syndrome, and urticaria. Due to the overlap in signs and symptoms in the reported descriptions, it is not always possible to differentiate these reactions properly according to their pathomechanism. Similarly, many data reported as anaphylaxis actually describe severe anaphylactic reactions (grades III or IV).

Conclusion

There is an urgent need for a simpler symptom- or system-based classification and scoring system to create an awareness for HSRs to BSs. A better understanding of the pathophysiology of HSRs and increased clinical experience in the treatment of side effects will provide timely control of unexpected reactions. As a result, immunotherapy with BSs will become safer in the future.

Temporal Correlations of Skin and Blood Metabolites with Clinical Outcomes of Biologic Therapy in Psoriasis

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease causing multisystem effects. Introduction of biologic drugs has led to promising results in treatment of this disease. Here, we carry out time-dependent profiling of psoriasis-related putative metabolic biomarkers.

METHODS

Skin excretion specimens were collected from 17 patients with psoriasis treated with biologics for 7 months. Blood specimens were obtained from the same patients at intervals of 1-3 months. A hydrogel micropatch sampling technique was implemented to collect lesional (L) and nonlesional (NL) skin specimens. The collected skin and blood specimens were analyzed by mass spectrometric methods.

RESULTS

The metabolites present on L skin-in particular, choline, and citrulline-showed greater dynamics, corresponding to the resolution of psoriasis than the metabolites present in NL skin or blood. Choline levels in L skin and blood correlated positively, while citrulline correlated negatively with the severity of individual psoriasis plaques and general disease severity, respectively. Nevertheless, the correlations between the metabolite levels in blood and general disease severity were weaker than those between the metabolite levels on L skin and severity of individual plaques. The changes of these skin metabolites were more prominent in the responders to the treatment than in the nonresponders.

CONCLUSIONS

The results support the feasibility of characterizing dynamic changes in psoriatic skin metabolic profiles with the hydrogel micropatch probes and mass spectrometric tests. The study represents one of few attempts to explore relationships between skin and blood metabolite concentrations. However, practical use of the methodology in close clinical monitoring is yet to be demonstrated.

Direct T-cell Inhibition and Agents Targeting T-cell Migration and Chemotaxis

Lymphocyte depletion and blockade of T-cell activation and trafficking serve as therapeutic strategies for an enlarging number of immune-mediated diseases and malignancies. This review summarizes the infection risks associated to monoclonal antibodies that bind to the α chain of the interleukin-2 receptor, the cell surface glycoprotein CD52, and members of α4- and β2-integrin families acting as cell-adhesion molecules. An outline of the mechanisms of action, approved indications and off-label uses, expected impact on the host immune response, and available clinical evidence is provided for each of these agents.

Remicade® (infliximab): 20 years of contributions to science and medicine

On August 24, 1998, Remicade^® (infliximab), the first tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) inhibitor, received its initial marketing approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of Crohn’s disease. Subsequently, Remicade was approved in another five adult and two pediatric indications both in the USA and across the globe. In the 20 years since this first approval, Remicade has made several important contributions to the advancement of science and medicine: 1) clinical trials with Remicade established the proof of concept that targeted therapy can be effective in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases; 2) as the first monoclonal antibody approved for use in a chronic condition, Remicade helped in identifying methods of administering large, foreign proteins repeatedly while limiting the body’s immune response to them; 3) the need to establish Remicade’s safety profile required developing new methods and setting new standards for postmarketing safety studies, specifically in the real-world setting, in terms of approach, size, and duration of follow-up; 4) the study of Remicade has improved our understanding of TNF’s role in the immune system, as well as our understanding of the pathophysiology of a range of diseases characterized by chronic inflammation; and 5) Remicade and other TNF inhibitors have transformed treatment practices in these chronic inflammatory diseases: remission has become a realistic goal of therapy and long-term disability resulting from structural damage can be prevented. This paper reviews how, over the course of its development and 20 years of use in clinical practice, Remicade was able to make these contributions.

Protective and pathogenic roles of resident memory T cells in human skin disorders

The human skin is populated by recirculating T cells and skin-sessile resident memory T cells (T_RM). Skin T_RM are constructed during immune responses against antigens that the host immune system encounters in the skin. T_RM persist in the same sites for a long time and play important protective roles in skin immune responses in collaboration with other skin-composing cells such as dendritic cells and keratinocytes. These T_RM with strong effector functions possibly also engender skin inflammatory disorders. Since human skin T cells, especially T_RM, are phenotypically distinct from T cells in the blood circulation, T cells residing in the skin should be directly investigated, without presuming from the activities of blood T cells, in order to understand the functional characteristics of skin T cells in skin disorders. This review summarizes the features of human skin T_RM and reviews the immunopathological involvement of T_RM in human skin disorders such as infectious disease, inflammatory skin disease, and malignant skin tumors.

Gut-Selective Integrin-Targeted Therapies for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Integrins are cell surface receptors with bidirectional signalling capabilities that can bind to adhesion molecules in order to mediate homing of leukocytes to peripheral tissues. Gut-selective leukocyte homing is facilitated by interactions between α4β7 and its ligand, mucosal addressin cellular adhesion molecule-1 [MAdCAM-1], while retention of lymphocytes in mucosal tissues is mediated by αEβ7 binding to its ligand E-cadherin. Therapies targeting gut-selective trafficking have shown efficacy in inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], confirming the importance of leukocyte trafficking in disease pathobiology. This review will provide an overview of integrin structure, function and signalling, and highlight the role that these molecules play in leukocyte homing and retention. Anti-integrin therapeutics, including gut-selective antibodies against the β7 integrin subunit [etrolizumab] and the α4β7 integrin heterodimer [vedolizumab and abrilumab], and the non-gut selective anti-α4 integrin [natalizumab], will be discussed, as well as novel targeting approaches using small molecules.

Biological therapies in psoriasis - revisited

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune mediated disorder affecting approximately 2% of the population. Even in our days, patients with psoriasis are confronted with stigmatization and social rejection. As a result, their quality of life is significantly impaired. Biological therapies have revolutionized the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis. The aim of this paper is to look over the most important biological therapies available for the management of plaque-type psoriasis.

Quantitative evaluation to efficacy and safety of therapies for psoriasis: A network meta-analysis

Therapies treating psoriasis can be categorized into five classes according to their mechanism: anti-metabolites (AM), anti-interleukin-12/23 agents (anti-IL12/23), anti-interleukin-17 agents (anti-IL17), anti-T-cell agent (ANT), and anti-tumor necrosis factor-α agent (anti-TNF-α). This network meta-analysis (NMA) aimed to give a quantitative and systemic evaluation of safety and efficacy for the five kinds of therapies mentioned above. Odds ratios and mean differences were calculated to evaluate binary and continuous outcomes, respectively. Forest plots were conducted to show the performance of pair-wise comparison of above therapies in each outcome, and surface under the cumulative ranking curves was given to evaluate the relative ranking of above therapies in each outcome. Node splitting was conducted to evaluate the consistency between direct and indirect evidence. Direct comparisons from 65 studies (32,352 patients) were included in this NMA. Our results showed an excellent efficacy of anti-IL12/23 and anti-IL17. However, these two therapies and anti-TNF-α were revealed to have a high possibility to cause adverse effects (AEs) such as infections. Additionally, node splitting showed that no inconsistency appeared between the direct and indirect comparisons. Anti-IL12/23 was the most recommended therapy according to this NMA. Anti-IL17 had similar efficacy to anti-IL12/23 but should be applied with caution since it has poor performance in safety outcomes.

Atopic dermatitis 2017: where we were 10-15 years ago in psoriasis

Novel and innovative treatment options for atopic dermatitis (AD) are underway. The recent advancements in understanding AD are reminiscent of the progress made in psoriasis research over a decade ago.

Efalizumab for the Treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis

Background:

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis. Efalizumab, a T cell-targeted, recombinant human monoclonal antibody, is approved for the treatment of adult patients with chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. The effect of efalizumab therapy on PsA has not previously been investigated.

Objective:

This phase II randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study evaluated the efficacy and safety of efalizumab for the treatment of PsA.

Methods:

Patients were required to be on at least one of the following concomitant systemic therapies for PsA: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and/or sulfasalazine or methotrexate. One hundred fifteen patients with active PsA were enrolled and randomized in the study. Of these, 107 were treated weekly with efalizumab 1 mg/kg or placebo for 12 weeks, followed by 12 additional weeks of open-label efalizumab.

Results:

At week 12, 28% of efalizumab-treated patients achieved ACR-20 response (a 20% reduction from the baseline in the American College of Rheumatology response criteria), the primary end point, compared with 19% of placebo patients ( p = .27). The safety profile was comparable between efalizumab- and placebo-treated patient groups, regardless of methotrexate background therapy, and no worsening of joint disease occurred with efalizumab therapy.

Conclusions:

Efalizumab was not effective in treating PsA; efalizumab therapy did not worsen PsA. The efalizumab safety profile does not appear to be altered with the concomitant use of methotrexate therapy.

Patient Satisfaction with Psoriasis Therapies: An Update and Introduction to Biologic Therapy

Background:

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated skin condition that often requires lifelong treatment. Many patients report dissatisfaction with traditional nonbiologic therapies because they are ineffective for their psoriasis, are associated with side effects, or impact negatively on quality of life.

Objectives:

The aim of this article is to review the effect on patient quality of life of traditional nonbiologic psoriasis therapies and to discuss the impact of biologic psoriasis therapies on patient satisfaction.

Methods:

A review of the literature is presented.

Results:

Traditional nonbiologic psoriasis therapies can negatively impact quality of life due to a variety of factors including inconvenience and toxicity. Biologic agents have been developed that target the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis. Based on favorable efficacy and safety results in clinical trials, some of these agents are now approved for clinical use. Evidence suggests that patients receiving biologic therapies experience significant improvements in health-related quality of life.

Conclusion:

Biologic agents offer new hope for patients with psoriasis that their chronic condition can be controlled in a manner that improves their quality of life and may lead to high levels of satisfaction with their treatment.

Integrating Biologic Agents into Management of Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis: A Consensus of the Canadian Psoriasis Expert Panel

Background:

Approximately 2% of people worldwide have psoriasis, with as many as 1 million people with psoriasis in Canada alone.1,2 The severity of psoriasis ranges from mild to severe. It can lead to substantial morbidity and psychological stress and have a profound negative impact on patient quality of life.3,4 Although available therapies reduce therapies reduce the extent and severity of the disease and improve quality of life,3 reports have indicated a patient preference for more aggressive therapy and a dissatisfaction with the effectiveness of current treatment options.5

Objective:

A Canadian Expert Panel, comprising Canadian dermatologists, convened in Toronto on 27 February 2004 to reach a consensus on unmet needs of patients treated with current therapies and how to include the pending biologic agents in and improve the current treatment algorithm for moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Current treatment recommendations suggest a stepwise strategy starting with topical agents followed by phototherapy and then systemic agents.3,6,7 The Panel evaluated the appropriate positioning of the biologic agents, once approved by Health Canada, for the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

Methods:

The Panel reviewed available evidence and quality of these data on current therapies and from randomized, controlled clinical trials.8–14 Subsequently, consensus was achieved by small-group workshops followed by plenary discussion.

Results:

The Panel determined that biologic agents are an important addition to therapies currently available for moderate-to-severe psoriasis and proposed an alternative treatment algorithm to the current step wise paradigm.

Conclusion:

The Panel recommended a new treatment algorithm for moderate-to-severe psoriasis whereby all appropriate treatment options, including biologic agents, are considered together and patients' specific characteristics and needs are taken into account when selecting the most appropriate treatment option.

Safety of Efalizumab in Patients with Moderate to Severe Chronic Plaque Psoriasis: Review of Clinical Data. Part II

Background:

The efficacy and safety of efalizumab have been evaluated in multiple clinical trials. ObjectiveThe purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the safety profile of efalizumab during the clinical trials.

Methods:

Twelve-week data from four placebo-controlled trials were pooled and analyzed. Data from patients receiving 13—60 weeks of efalizumab therapy were pooled to evaluate longer-term safety.

Results:

The most common adverse events were mild to moderate, self-limiting, flulike symptoms that were most frequent following the first two efalizumab doses; by the third dose the incidence was comparable to placebo. Serious adverse events were observed in 2.2% and 1.7% of efalizumab- and placebo-treated patients, respectively. Nonserious adverse events leading to withdrawal were infrequent and similar to placebo (2.8% vs 1.8%). There does not appear to be increased risk of end-organ toxicity, infection, or malignancy in efalizumab-treated patients.

Conclusion:

Efalizumab was well tolerated, with a favorable safety profile.

Clinical Efficacy of Efalizumab in Patients with Chronic Plaque Psoriasis: Results from Three Randomized Placebo-Controlled Phase III Trials: Part I

Background:

Effective psoriasis therapies are needed for long-term symptom control. ObjectiveAssess efalizumab (Raptiva®) efficacy in a large cohort of psoriasis patients.

Methods:

Data from three Phase III, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, multicenter studies were pooled. Patients ( n = 1,651) with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis received 12 weeks of subcutaneous efalizumab 1 or 2 mg/kg/wk or placebo.

Remits:

All efficacy measures reached statistical significance within each of the individual studies ( p < 0.001) and overall. More efalizumab-treated patients achieved > 75% and ≥ 50% Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) improvement at week 12 than did placebo-treated patients (27.8% vs 3.8% [ p < 0.001] and 56.1% vs 14.6% [ p < 0.001], respectively). Significant PASI improvements occurred as early as week 2 (12.5% vs 7.9%, p =0.0001). Adverse events were generally mild to moderate.

Conclusion:

Efalizumab resulted in early and significant improvement for all efficacy endpoints and was well tolerated in patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis.

Disruption of tumour-host communication by downregulation of LFA-1 reduces COX-2 and e-NOS expression and inhibits brain metastasis growth

Over 20% of cancer patients will suffer metastatic spread to the brain, and prognosis remains poor. Communication between tumour cells and host tissue is essential during metastasis, yet little is known of the processes underlying such interactions in the brain.Here we test the hypothesis that cross-talk between tumour cells and host brain cells, through tumour cell leukocyte function associated protein-1 (LFA-1), is critical in metastasis development. Temporal expression of LFA-1 and its major ligand intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was determined in two different mouse models of brain metastasis. Marked upregulation of both proteins was found, co-localising with astrocytes, microglia and tumour cells themselves. Silencing of LFA-1 expression in MDA231Br-GFP cells prior to intracerebral injection resulted in > 70% reduction in tumour burden compared to control MDA231Br-GFP cells (p < 0.005, n = 5). Subsequent qRT-PCR analysis of brain tissue revealed significant reductions in COX-2, VEGF and eNOS from host brain tissue, but not tumour cells, in mice injected with LFA-1 knockdown cells (p < 0.0001, n = 5). Finally, expression of both LFA-1 and ICAM-1 was demonstrated in human brain metastasis samples.The results of this study suggest LFA-1 as a new target in brain metastasis therapy and highlight the potential synergy with current anti-COX-2 and anti-NOS therapies.

Biologic Therapeutics in the Treatment of Psoriasis. Part 1: Review

Background:

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease principally mediated by activated T cells, which release proinflammatory cytokines with reactive epidermal changes in the skin, producing the characteristic lesions of psoriasis. New research into possible treatment options has been inspired by increased understanding of the pathophysiology of psoriasis and advances in immunology and molecular biology permitting the development of targeted, highly active biologic agents.

Objective:

The aim of this article is to review the efficacy and safety of five biologic therapeutics in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis and to provide practical guidelines for integration of these agents in the management of psoriasis.

Methods:

We searched MEDLINE (1966–2005) for articles containing the key words: alefacept, efalizumab, etanercept, infliximab, and adalimumab and searched recent conference abstracts.

Results:

Emerging immunotherapeutic agents (fusion proteins, recombinant cytokines, fusion toxins, or antibodies) target T cells or cytokines responsible for plaque formation that is characteristic of psoriasis. Alefacept is the first biologic to be approved in both the United States and Canada. More recently, efalizumab and etanercept and infliximab have been approved in the United States and Canada for plaque-type psoriasis. Adalimumab is currently in phase III clinical trials.

Conclusion:

These novel biologics offer an intriguing and effective treatment option for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis.

Efalizumab in the Treatment of Psoriasis

Background:

Efalizumab (anti-CD11a), a targeted, reversible T-cell modulator, is a humanized monoclonal antibody that provides a rapid onset of action of clinical benefit and has been studied up to 36 months, showing continuous control of plaque-type psoriasis. Efalizumab has recently been approved in Canada for this indication.

Objective:

To examine the efficacy and safety of efalizumab by presenting the latest data in the treatment of psoriasis.

Methods:

We searched MEDLINE (1966–2005) for randomized, double-blind studies of efalizumab (1 mg/kg for 12 weeks) using the following key words: psoriasis, efalizumab, biologics, and treatment.

Results:

It was found that the proportion of patients who achieved Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 75 and PASI 50 ranged from 22 to 39% and 52 to 61%, respectively. PASI 75 improvement was achieved in 44% of patients, who continued to receive efalizumab by week 24. Following 36 months of continuous treatment, a PASI 75 response was achieved by 45% (intent-to-treat [ITT] analysis), 59% (maintenance group analysis), and 73% (as-treated analysis). Its safety profile was similar during the 12-week and 36-month treatment periods.

Conclusions:

Currently, more than 3,500 patients have received efalizumab in clinical trials. Efalizumab may be an important treatment option for dermatologists seeking to provide a well-tolerated and effective treatment modality for patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis.

The pathogenic role of angiogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis

Angiogenesis is the formation of new capillaries from pre-existing vasculature, which plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthropathies, psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, and atherosclerosis. In RA, excessive migration of circulating leukocytes into the inflamed joint necessitates formation of new blood vessels to provide nutrients and oxygen to the hypertrophic joint. The dominance of the pro-angiogenic factors over the endogenous angiostatic mediators triggers angiogenesis. In this review article, we highlight the underlying mechanisms by which cells present in the RA synovial tissue are modulated to secrete pro-angiogenic factors. We focus on the significance of pro-angiogenic factors such as growth factors, hypoxia-inducible factors, cytokines, chemokines, matrix metalloproteinases, and adhesion molecules on RA pathogenesis. As pro-angiogenic factors are primarily produced from RA synovial tissue macrophages and fibroblasts, we emphasize the key role of RA synovial tissue lining layer in maintaining synovitis through neovascularization. Lastly, we summarize the specific approaches utilized to target angiogenesis. We conclude that the formation of new blood vessels plays an indispensable role in RA progression. However, since the function of several pro-angiogenic mediators is cross regulated, discovering novel approaches to target multiple cascades or selecting an upstream cascade that impairs the activity of a number of pro-angiogenic factors may provide a promising strategy for RA therapy.

Efficacy and safety of biologics in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis: a comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

We conducted a systematic review and metaanalysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials in moderate-to-severe psoriasis treated with biological agents, with a follow-up of 10-14 weeks. Overall, 41 studies, with mean Jadad score of 4.4, and 15,586 patients were included. For the efficacy outcomes PASI 50, 75 and 90 our findings are not conclusive to point what biological agent has the greatest response in short term follow-up. There were no statistical differences between placebo and biologics for the occurrence of infections and serious adverse events. Ustekinumab 45 mg showed lower withdrawal due to adverse events compared with the placebo. Based on data available up to now, it is not possible to determine which biological agent is the best for PASI 50, 75 or 90 after 10-14 weeks of treatment. At the same follow-up, overall safety seems to be the same for all biological agents and Ustekinumab 45 mg the most well tolerated drug. To better understand efficacy and safety, indirect meta-analysis comparing drug-to-drug is required since randomized placebo-controlled trials may not be feasible.

Prediction of the Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Efficacy of a Monoclonal Antibody, Using a Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic FcRn Model

Although advantages of physiologically based pharmacokinetic models (PBPK) are now well established, PBPK models that are linked to pharmacodynamic (PD) models to predict pharmacokinetics (PK), PD, and efficacy of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in humans are uncommon. The aim of this study was to develop a PD model that could be linked to a physiologically based mechanistic FcRn model to predict PK, PD, and efficacy of efalizumab. The mechanistic FcRn model for mAbs with target-mediated drug disposition within the Simcyp population-based simulator was used to simulate the pharmacokinetic profiles for three different single doses and two multiple doses of efalizumab administered to virtual Caucasian healthy volunteers. The elimination of efalizumab was modeled with both a target-mediated component (specific) and catabolism in the endosome (non-specific). This model accounted for the binding between neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) and efalizumab (protective against elimination) and for changes in CD11a target concentration. An integrated response model was then developed to predict the changes in mean Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores that were measured in a clinical study as an efficacy marker for efalizumab treatment. PASI scores were approximated as continuous and following a first-order asymptotic progression model. The reported steady state asymptote (Y ss) and baseline score [Y (0)] was applied and parameter estimation was used to determine the half-life of progression (T p) of psoriasis. Results suggested that simulations using this model were able to recover the changes in PASI scores (indicating efficacy) observed during clinical studies. Simulations of both single dose and multiple doses of efalizumab concentration-time profiles as well as suppression of CD11a concentrations recovered clinical data reasonably well. It can be concluded that the developed PBPK FcRn model linked to a PD model adequately predicted PK, PD, and efficacy of efalizumab.

Leukocyte integrins: role in leukocyte recruitment and as therapeutic targets in inflammatory disease

Infection or sterile inflammation triggers site-specific attraction of leukocytes. Leukocyte recruitment is a process comprising several steps orchestrated by adhesion molecules, chemokines, cytokines and endogenous regulatory molecules. Distinct adhesive interactions between endothelial cells and leukocytes and signaling mechanisms contribute to the temporal and spatial fine-tuning of the leukocyte adhesion cascade. Central players in the leukocyte adhesion cascade include the leukocyte adhesion receptors of the β2-integrin family, such as the αLβ2 and αMβ2 integrins, or of the β1-integrin family, such as the α4β1-integrin. Given the central involvement of leukocyte recruitment in different inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, the leukocyte adhesion cascade in general, and leukocyte integrins in particular, represent key therapeutic targets. In this context, the present review focuses on the role of leukocyte integrins in the leukocyte adhesion cascade. Experimental evidence that has implicated leukocyte integrins as targets in animal models of inflammatory disorders, such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, psoriasis, inflammatory bone loss and inflammatory bowel disease as well as preclinical and clinical therapeutic applications of antibodies that target leukocyte integrins in various inflammatory disorders are presented. Finally, we review recent findings on endogenous inhibitors that modify leukocyte integrin function, which could emerge as promising therapeutic targets.

Biologics in dermatology: an integrated review

The advent of biologics in dermatologic treatment armentarium has added refreshing dimensions, for it is a major breakthrough. Several agents are now available for use. It is therefore imperative to succinctly comprehend their pharmacokinetics for their apt use. A concerted endeavor has been made to delve on this subject. The major groups of biologics have been covered and include: Drugs acting against TNF-α, Alefacept, Ustekinumab, Rituximab, IVIG and Omalizumab. The relevant pharmacokinetic characteristics have been detailed. Their respective label (approved) and off-label (unapproved) indications have been defined, highlighting their dosage protocol, availability and mode of administration. The evidence level of each indication has also been discussed to apprise the clinician of their current and prospective uses. Individual anti-TNF drugs are not identical in their actions and often one is superior to the other in a particular disease. Hence, the section on anti-TNF agents mentions the literature on each drug separately, and not as a group. The limitations for their use have also been clearly brought out.

Treatment-related progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy: current understanding and future steps

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare demyelinating disorder of the brain caused by a ubiquitous polyomavirus, JC virus. PML is almost always associated with some underlying immunosuppression and acquired immune deficiency syndrome has been the most common predisposing disorder. Recently, different pharmacological agents have been demonstrated to increase the risk of PML. Therapies that predispose people to PML can be classified into three categories: therapies that uniquely increase the risk for the disorder, such as the monoclonal antibodies natalizumab and efalizumab; therapies that appear to increase the risk in individuals already at risk of PML due to pre-existing conditions, such as rituximab and mycophenolate mofetil; and therapies with a mechanism of action that might suggest a potential for increased PML risk and/or with which rare cases of PML have been observed. Unlike the latter two classes, therapeutic agents uniquely increasing the risk of PML are associated with a much greater prevalence of the disorder and a latent interval from the time of drug initiation to the development of PML. PML development with pharmacological agents has provided new insight into the pathogenesis of this devastating disorder. This review focuses on the risks of PML with multiple pharmacological agents, the proposed pathogenesis with these agents, and potential risk mitigation strategies.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease with a spectrum of clinical phenotypes and results from the interplay of genetic, environmental, and immunological factors. Four decades of clinical and basic research on psoriasis have elucidated many of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying disease and paved the way to effective targeted therapies. Here, we review this progress and identify future directions of study that are supported by a more integrative research approach and aim at further improving the patients' life.

Differentially-expressed genes identified by suppression subtractive hybridization in the bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells of patients with psoriasis

Psoriasis is a T cell-mediated, chronic, relapsing and inflammatory cutaneous disorder. The dysfunctional activity of T cells in patients with psoriasis is attributed to bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (BMHSCs). To understand the pathogenic roles of BMHSCs in psoriasis, a differential gene expression analysis was performed using suppression subtractive hybridization of the BMHSCs from a patient with psoriasis and a healthy control. Using a cDNA array dot blot screening to screen 600 genes from forward- and reverse-subtracted cDNA libraries, 17 differentially-expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were identified. The genes within the ESTs were observed to be the homologs of genes that are involved in various cellular processes, including hormone signaling, RNA catabolism, protein ADP DNA base melting, transcriptional regulation, cell cycle regulation and metabolism. CD45, which was overexpressed in the psoriatic BMHSCs, was further analyzed using relative quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In addition, the levels of CD45 in the peripheral blood cells (PBCs) of the patients with psoriasis were markedly increased and closely associated with disease severity. An abnormality of hematopoietic progenitor cells, e.g., CD45 overexpression, may be transferred to PBCs via hematopoiesis, and may account for the psoriasis-inducing properties of activated T cells.

Tolerance--is it worth it?

We are entering an exciting time in the study of immunologic tolerance. Several cellular and molecular strategies have been developed that show promise in nonhuman transplant models and these approaches are just now appearing in clinical trials. Tolerance strategies that prevent immune rejection and obviate the need for immunosuppressive medications (with inherent risk of cancer, infection, and organ toxicity) would improve both graft and patient survival. Each tolerance protocol brings its own set of associated risks. As the results of these trials become available, we must continue to evaluate their successes and failures. The balance of these outcomes will help us answer the question: "Tolerance-Is it worth it?"