New Phase II Data Shows Improvement in Disease Activity For Psioriasis Patients With Abbott's HUMIRA(R)

22-Feb-2005

Psoriasis patients receiving HUMIRA® (adalimumab) achieved significant improvement in disease activity and quality of life through 60 weeks of treatment, according to new Phase II study results. The study, which assessed HUMIRA in patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis, showed that nearly 70 percent of patients receiving HUMIRA 40 mg every other week (eow) experienced a 75 percent improvement in disease activity (known as a PASI 75 response) at week 60.

Psoriasis is a chronic, non-contagious autoimmune skin disease characterized by very dry, scaly and cracked skin; skin pain; and patches of red, raised skin known as "plaques." Despite many available treatment options for the disease, some biologic treatments that target specific aspects of the immune system and help prevent the rapid growth of skin cells and formation of plaques are proving to be effective for those with moderate to severe forms of psoriasis - which accounts for approximately one-third of the 4.5 million people in the U.S. who suffer from the disease.

In the study, 67 percent of patients taking HUMIRA achieved at least a 75 percent improvement in disease extent and severity after 60 weeks, as measured by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score, which measures improvements in the severity and lesional characteristics of chronic plaque psoriasis. Furthermore, after 60 weeks more than one-third (36 percent) of patients taking HUMIRA 40 mg eow achieved PASI 90 - a measurement that correlates to at least a 90 percent reduction in disease activity and severity score and is considered a significant skin measurement that goes beyond what is typically highlighted in clinical trials. Additionally, almost two-thirds (63 percent) of patients were determined to be "clear" or "almost clear" of their psoriasis as measured by the Physician's Global Assessment, another measurement tool used by physicians to assess severity of disease.

https://www.bionity.com/en/news/43620/new-phase-ii-data-shows-improvement-in-disease-activity-for-psioriasis-patients-with-abbott-s-humira-r.html