Search

Aims. The present study aimed to assess vitamin D status and serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-17, Il-23, and IL-18 in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis and their association with various demographic and clinical characteristics. Methods. The study was conducted during the autumn/winter period on 48 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis and 48 controls. Total serum 25(OH)D level was determined with Roche Elecsys® 2010 Vitamin D total assay. Commercial ELISA kits were used for quantifying the serum levels of IL-17A, IL-18, and IL-23. Results. Serum 25(OH)D had a median value of 16.95 ng/mL (IQR 10.8--23.50) for patients with psoriasis and 18.80 ng/ mL (IQR 15.45--25.85) for the control group (P=0.09). A moderate negative correlation was found between PASI score and 25(OH)D levels (rs=0.34; P=0.02). The serum levels of IL-17 (P=0.001), IL-23 (P=0.01) and IL-18 (P=0.02) were significantly higher in the patient group compared to controls. IL-17 concentrations were higher in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis compared to patients with mild psoriasis (P=0.003). No significant correlations were detected between the serum concentrations of 25(H)D and IL-17, IL-23, and IL-18. Conclusion. It was confirmed that IL-17 serum level is associated with psoriasis severity. Measurement of 25(OH)D serum concentration can be useful in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis with or without comorbidities. A direct association between 25(OH)D serum concentration and the serum concentrations of IL-17, IL-23, or IL-18 was not identified in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by hindered antioxidant defense and increased formation of free radicals. There are limited data on the skin carotenoids in psoriatic skin as well as their modulation during narrow‐band UVB (NB‐UVB) phototherapy of the disease. Aim: The aim of this prospective study is to reveal the skin carotenoids levels during NB‐UVB phototherapy of psoriasis in humans. Material and methods: Twenty Caucasian subjects with mild‐to‐moderate plaque psoriasis (15m; 5f) were enrolled in the study, and nine gender‐ and age‐matched healthy volunteers were recruited for controls of oxidative stress measurements. All psoriasis patients underwent 10 sessions of NB‐UVB phototherapy. Measurements were taken at baseline and after 10 sessions of NB‐UVB phototherapy. The assessment of carotenoid levels in the skin in vivo was performed by a non‐invasive, reflectance spectroscopy‐based device. Psoriasis severity was assessed by psoriasis area and severity index (PASI). The dermatology life quality index (DLQI) was evaluated in psoriatic patients. Results: Baseline carotenoid levels were significantly lower in psoriasis patients in comparison to healthy controls. NB‐UVB phototherapy insignificantly diminished carotenoid levels in the skin of psoriasis patients, while clinical improvement both in PASI score and DLQI was observed. Conclusion: We showed the levels of skin carotenoids in psoriatic patients are lower than in healthy subjects. NB‐UVB did not change significantly skin carotenoid levels. Further studies should elucidate the potential effect of antioxidants supplementation during NB‐UVB of psoriasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: CF101, an adenosine A3 receptor agonist, is an orally bioavailable small molecule drug presenting an anti-psoriatic effect demonstrated in a Phase 2 clinical trial in psoriasis patients.
, Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of CF101 treatment in a Phase 2/3 study in patients with moderate to severe plaque-type psoriasis.
, Methods: This multicenter, double-blind, 2-segment, placebo-controlled study randomized subjects with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis to CF101 1 or 2 mg, or placebo twice daily. At either week 12 (Segment 1) or 16 (Segment 2), the placebo group crossed over to CF101 BID through week 32 in an open-label fashion. At week 12, following an interim analysis, the CF101 1mg group was discontinued due to futility. The primary endpoint was proportion of patients achieving ≥75% improvement in Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI 75). Efficacy testing was performed using the Cochran-Mantel Haenszel test, the primary analysis of PASI 75 was performed at the 0.035 significance level.
, Results: CF101 had an excellent safety profile at all tested dosages with a profile similar to the placebo group. The most common adverse events were infections and gastrointestinal events, and there was no cumulative intolerance over the 32-week dosing period. The study did not meet the primary endpoint of PASI 75 at week 12 (2 mg: 8.5% vs. placebo: 6.9%, P=0.621). However, at week 32, PASI mean percent improvement with CF101 2 mg was 57% (P<0.001) compared to baseline, with linear improvement in PASI 50 (63.5%), 75 (35.5%), 90 (24.7%), and 100 (10.6%).
, Conclusions: Oral CF101 was found to be safe and very well tolerated, demonstrating evidence of efficacy in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis through 32 weeks of treatment.

J Drugs Dermatol. 2016;15(8):931-938.