Ixekizumab for the treatment of pediatric patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

Introduction: Ixekizumab (IXE), a high affinity humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively targets interleukin-17A, is approved in the United States (US) and the European Union (EU) for pediatric patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. This review summarizes ixekizumab use in the phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in pediatric patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and provides some clinical pearls we have learned after using the drug in the pediatric population for the past 3 years.Areas covered: Review of IXORA-PEDS trial data, general literature review pertaining to the systemic treatment of pediatric psoriasis as well as our clinical experience with IXEExpert opinion: IXE is the only IL17 antagonist for pediatric psoriasis and is a welcome addition to our armamentarium.

Cannabidiol primer for healthcare professionals.

Emerging research and clinical data are demonstrating potential benefits of cannabidiol for multiple medical conditions. This article gives healthcare providers information on cannabidiol and the endocannabinoid system as a foundation on which to build their medical knowledge as the risks and benefits of CBD in various diseases are further evaluated over time.

Patients' Perspectives on the Impact of Genital Psoriasis: A Qualitative Study.

INTRODUCTION: Plaque psoriasis is a chronic skin disease where genital involvement is relatively common. Yet health care providers do not routinely evaluate psoriasis patients for genital involvement and patients do not readily initiate discussion of it. METHODS: A qualitative study of 20 US patients with dermatologist-confirmed genital psoriasis (GenPs) and self-reported moderate-to-severe GenPs at screening was conducted to identify key GenPs symptoms and their impacts on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). RESULTS: Patients had a mean age of 45 years, 55% were female, and patients had high rates of current/recent moderate-to-severe overall (65%) and genital (70%) psoriasis. Patients reported the following GenPs symptoms: genital itch (100%), discomfort (100%), redness (95%), stinging/burning (95%), pain (85%), and scaling (75%). Genital itching (40%) and stinging/burning (40%) were the most bothersome symptoms. Impacts on sexual health included impaired sexual experience during sexual activity (80%), worsening of symptoms after sexual activity (80%), decreased frequency of sexual activity (80%), avoidance of sexual relationships (75%), and reduced sexual desire (55%). Negative effects on sexual experience encompassed physical effects such as mechanical friction, cracking, and pain as well as psychosocial effects such as embarrassment and feeling stigmatized. Males reported a higher burden of symptoms and sexual impacts. Other HRQoL impacts were on mood/emotion (95%), physical activities (70%), daily activities (60%), and relationships with friends and family (45%). These impacts significantly affected daily activities. Physical activities were affected by symptoms and flares, and increased sweat and friction worsened symptoms. Patients reported daily practices to control outcomes. CONCLUSION: The high level of reported symptoms and sexual and nonsexual impacts reflects the potential burden of moderate-to-severe GenPs. GenPs can impact many facets of HRQoL and providers should evaluate their patients for the presence of genital psoriasis and its impact on their quality of life. FUNDING: Eli Lilly and Company.

Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis.

Psoriasis is a dynamic systemic disease that can have a profound affect on a patient's self-esteem. Fortunately, numerous therapeutic advances have been made over the last 10 years. In order to help patients manage their disease, healthcare providers should be aware of the modifiable risk factors that may exacerbate psoriasis. Additionally, exploring the impact the disease has on a patient and how it may change over their lifespan will help ensure appropriate therapies are used. Patients are unique so one medication will not fit all of our patients' needs. In this paper, the authors look at available treatment options for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Educating psoriasis patients, in addition to collaborating with patients and other healthcare providers, may help initiate therapies that will result in patients living their lives to the fullest.

Combining traditional agents and biologics for the treatment of psoriasis.

Psoriasis patients deserve long-term control of their disease with optimal safety. Traditional agents (methotrexate, cyclosporine, retinoids, and photochemotherapy [PUVS]), although providing excellent short-term control, may produce acute or chronic toxicities, thus limiting their usage. Dermatologists are well versed in combination and rotational therapies for psoriasis, using these and other agents. With the advent of biologic therapies (three currently approved, and others pending), the potential for safer long-term psoriasis control is being realized. A review of the literature, plus our personal experience in using combinations of traditional agents and biologics, is presented.

Efalizumab: continuous therapy for chronic psoriasis.

Efalizumab is a humanised monoclonal antibody targeting the CD11a subunit of lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1, specifically developed for psoriasis. Indicated for patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, efalizumab is FDA-approved in the US for patients aged > or = 18, as well as being approved in several other European countries. Clinical studies have proven the efficacy of efalizumab for a majority of patients, improving quality of life with continuous maintenance therapy by means of weekly subcutaneous self-injections. Controlled trials have demonstrated the safety and tolerability of efalizumab. Clinical trials have established that approximately 30% of patients can achieve a PASI-75 response within 12 weeks of initiating treatment, with further clinical benefit noted with continued therapy up to 24 and even 36 months of therapy. Efalizumab may thus potentially offer patients a safe option for long-term safe control in managing their disease.