Psoriasis Treatment Passes Another Test

Onercept successful in Phase II trial sponsored by drug maker

(HealthDay is the new name for HealthScoutNews.)

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 20, 2003 (HealthDayNews) -- A drug called Onercept improved the condition of people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, says a study by the company that makes the drug.

After 12 weeks of therapy, 54 percent of patients receiving Onercept demonstrated at least a 75 percent improvement in their Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), a globally accepted measure of treatment efficacy.

The Phase II clinical study says that same level of improvement was seen in 12 percent of patients on placebo.

In addition, 74 percent of patients on Oncercept achieved 50 percent or greater PASI score improvement, compared to 26 percent of the patients in the placebo group.

The drug company plans to conduct Phase III trials later this year.

Psoriasis, a chronic skin disease with no cure, affects about 4.5 million Americans and about 5.7 million people in Europe. About 10 percent of people with psoriasis develop chronic inflammation of the joints called psoriatic arthritis.

More information

Here's where you can learn more about psoriasis.

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