Positive results for psoriasis

Genentech has presented final results from a long-term study that showed sustained improvement in psoriasis symptoms throughout three years of continuous treatment with Raptiva (efalizumab).

This three-year study is the longest study of psoriasis patients receiving continuous treatment with a biologic agent.

'Raptiva is the first biologic therapy to show sustained benefit for psoriasis patients treated continuously over a three-year period,' said Dr Craig Leonardi, associate clinical professor of dermatology at St Louis University Medical School, St Louis, Mo, and a study investigator. 'Given that psoriasis is a chronic disease, as dermatologists we must weigh the efficacy and safety of different treatment options over the long term. It is encouraging to see a consistent safety profile for Raptiva in this three-year open-label study.'

The 36-month, Phase IIIb open-label study evaluated the long-term safety and efficacy of continuous treatment with Raptiva in adults with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis. The results were presented as a poster at the American Association of Dermatology Academy 2005 meeting in New Orleans.

At 33 months, of the 151 patients who remained in the study and continued to receive weekly Raptiva therapy:

• 75% (113/151) of patients showed a 75% or greater improvement on the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI 75)

• 41% of patients (62/151) showed a 90% or greater PASI improvement (PASI 90).

At the end of the final three-month transitional period of the three-year study (at 36 months), of the 113 patients who continued in the study and received weekly Raaptiva therapy:

• 73% (82/113) of patients showed a 75% or greater PASI improvement (PASI 75)

• 40% of patients (45/113) showed a 90% or greater PASI improvement (PASI 90).

An analysis of a small number of patients using concomitant systemic therapies demonstrated that the addition of these agents did not have a significant effect on patient response rates.