Abbott shows skin clearance in Humira study

Abbott has announced the results of a phase III clinical study of Humira (adalimumab), with patients treated with the compound exhibiting a significant reduction in the signs of psoriasis.

Patients were also less likely to show a worsening of the signs of their condition when using the compound continuously, while the safety profile of the drug was consistent with that reported in earlier trials.

Humira is a fully-human monoclonal antibody that is approved in Europe for the treatment of rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. The compound operates by blocking a protein involved in the inflammatory responses of autoimmune diseases – tumour necrosis factor alpha.

Alan Menter, chairman of the division of dermatology at Baylor University Medical Centre, said: “An important goal of psoriasis treatment is to not only clear the skin initially but to help patients maintain clearance over time.”

He added that the majority of psoriasis patients in this recent phase III trial attained both these treatment goals, making Humira a “promising” drug candidate to treat the condition.

In November 2006, Abbott announced that the US Food and Drug Administration had granted its approval for the expansion of the indication of Humira in patients with psoriatic arthritis to include the inhibition of structural joint damage and the improvement of physical function.