Efficacy and safety of itolizumab, a novel anti-CD6 monoclonal antibody, in patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis: results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, phase-III study.

BACKGROUND: Itolizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody to CD6, is a novel therapeutic agent evaluated in chronic plaque psoriasis. OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess the safety and efficacy of itolizumab in moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis. METHODS: A total of 225 patients were randomized (2:2:1) to 2 different itolizumab arms (A or B; A = 4-week loading dose of 0.4 mg/kg/wk followed by 1.6 mg/kg every 2 weeks; B = 1.6/mg every 2 weeks) or placebo. At week 12, the placebo arm was switched to 1.6 mg/kg itolizumab every 2 weeks. The primary end point was the proportion of patients with at least 75% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score at week 12. RESULTS: At week 12, 27.0% in arm A (P = .0172 vs placebo), 36.4% in B (P = .0043 vs placebo), and 2.3% in the placebo arm had at least 75% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score. At week 28, the proportion with at least 75% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score was comparable: 46.1%, 45.5%, and 41.9% for A, B, and placebo, respectively. In weeks 1 to 12, the incidence of all adverse events was comparable across arms (A, 43%; B, 38%; placebo, 47%) and the incidence of infections was not greater than placebo (11.1%, 8.9%, and 18.6% for A, B, and placebo). LIMITATIONS: No active comparator is a limitation. CONCLUSIONS: Itolizumab is an effective and well-tolerated novel biological therapy in moderate to severe psoriasis.

Chemical hair relaxers have adverse effects a myth or reality.

CONTEXT: Hair plays an important role in one's personality and builds confidence. Now-a-days, chemical hair relaxers are used very commonly in the society. We document the adverse effects reported by the sample that have used any one of the professional chemical hair relaxers. AIM: To study the adverse effects reported by the sample who underwent repeated chemical hair relaxing. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Cross-sectional questionnaire based study done on a sample taken from a medical college and hospital campus in Mangalore. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample was restricted to females and to those who underwent it more than once. A questionnaire was given to a sample of 90, which matched our criteria. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: SPSS software 17. RESULTS: Adverse effects reported by the sample after undergoing the procedure were found to be a high 95.56%, out of which the following are the common adverse effects reported; frizzy hair in 67%, dandruff in 61%, hair loss in 47%, thinning and weakening of hair in 40%, greying of hair 22%, and split ends in only 17%. CONCLUSIONS: Very few studies have been conducted on the adverse effects of hair straightening products in India. From our study, it can be stated that most of the samples had adverse effects, which was as high as 95.56%. Hence from the details elicited from this study, we can conclude that, usage of chemical hair relaxers does cause adverse effects and is "not a myth." Thus, it is necessary to make available a less harmful chemical hair relaxer to the society.

Foot eczema: the role of patch test in determining the causative agent using standard series.

Foot dermatitis refers to the predominant involvement of feet in the eczematous process. This study is undertaken to determine the clinical pattern and causative agent in foot eczema and to evaluate the role of patch testing in determining the causative agent of foot eczema. Data was collected from 50 patients with foot eczema, who attended the out-patient department. The patch test was performed using Indian standard series. Patch test was positive in 88% of the patients. The most common site affected was the dorsal aspect of the foot (48%) and scaly plaque was the predominant morphological pattern. The highest number of patients (24%) showed positive reactions to mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) and the lowest (4%) to neomycin sulfate. Rubber and rubber chemicals have been reported worldwide to be the most common sensitizer causing foot eczema. Thus, patch test has a major role in finding out the cause of foot eczema.