Centocor shows ustekinumab to significantly improve psoriasis

Centocor has shown that its biologic therapy ustekinumab can significantly improve psoriasis following a phase III study presented at the World Congress of Dermatology.

The study confirmed that two-thirds of patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis receiving two doses of ustekinumab (CNTO 1275) achieved at least a 75 per cent reduction in psoriasis at week 12 – the study’s endpoint, as measured by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75).

In addition, the study found that patients taking one extra dose at week 16 would maintain a PASI 75 response through to week 28.

“These findings provide further evidence of the role of IL-12/23 in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and the promise that a new therapeutic approach like ustekinumab may hold for dermatologists and their patients living with this chronic, immune-related disease,” said Craig Leonardi, lead investigator of the study.

The phase III trial involved more than 1,200 patients and showed that within four weeks of initiating treatment with ustekinumab, patients experienced significant and clinically meaningful improvements in quality of life.

Earlier this year, Centocor announced the analysis of data from a clinical study of Remicade (infliximab) in patients with severe psoriasis.

The results showed that three-quarters of patients exhibited a 75 per cent improvement in symptoms measured by the Psoriasis Area Severity Index, while those patients with psoriasis affecting the nails also showed significant improvements in their symptoms.