Vitae Enters Phase II Clinical Trials

Vitae Pharmaceuticals, Inc.announced today that it has initiated Phase II clinical studies with VTP-201227 for the treatment of psoriasis and VTP-195183 to enhance immune celllevels in specific cancer treatments. "Within the last 18 months, Vitae has progressed multiple products intoPhase II trials, created a significant partnership with GlaxoSmithKline, andexpanded our robust pipeline of discovery projects," said Jeffrey Hatfield,CEO of Vitae Pharmaceuticals. "We now have significant development efforts inthree major disease areas, including oncology, dermatology and hypertension.The speed of our progress demonstrates the ability of our team, our uniqueapproach and the strength of our drug discovery capabilities and proprietarytechnologies." The first Phase II clinical compound, VTP-201227, has a novel mechanism ofaction and is being developed at Vitae Pharmaceuticals as a topical agent forthe treatment of psoriasis with potential extensions into other dermatologicalindications. The Phase II trial is designed to include 128 psoriasis patientsat 16 study sites in the U.S. The first psoriasis patient was enrolled anddosed in the study this month. VTP-201227 is a potent, selective inhibitor of two specific enzymes thatare active in the skin. Therapeutic targeting of these enzymes by VTP-201227promotes naturally-occurring healing processes within the skin. The compoundhas been designed to be rapidly inactivated in systemic circulation and thushas the potential to have a more favorable safety profile. In preclinicalanimal models, VTP-201227 was shown to exhibit a superior therapeutic indexcompared to other topical dermatology drugs. The second Phase II clinical compound, VTP-195183, is being studied incombination with other therapies for its potential to boost the levels ofinfection-fighting white blood cells in certain oncologic conditions. Vitaeadvanced the clinical program for this compound and initiated a Phase IIclinical trial in October. The Phase II trial is designed as a proof-of-biology study to determine the effectiveness of VTP-195183 in combination withGranulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) to enhance mobilization ofperipheral blood progenitor cells in patients for whom high-dose chemotherapyis planned. VTP-195183 is a novel subtype-specific nuclear receptor agonistthat has been shown to be generally safe and well tolerated in cancer patientsin Phase I studies. The Phase II clinical trial of VTP-195183 is beingconducted outside of the U.S.

Understanding Scalp Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common skin condition affecting 2-3% of the population of the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Psoriasis is in simple terms only a vast acceleration of the usual replacement processes of the skin. It appears as raised red patches of skin covered with silvery scales.

With scalp psoriasis there is thick scale and redness that is also evident around the scalp margins. Many patients experience severe itching and a feeling of tightness and some report soreness. One patient has described the build-up of scales as being like 'a mountain on my head'.

For those with scalp patches which flare up from time to time it is possible to manage at home. Shampoo treatments are improving all the time and can be bought over the counter. Your pharmacist should be able to advise. However if your scalp is covered with thick scale or it does not clear up do consult your GP who may arrange referral to a Dermatologist.

There is a range of treatments which can be prescribed including coal tar, dithranol, salicylic acid, cortico-steroids and Vitamin D derivatives to bring the flare-up to a manageable level.

The method of applying the treatment is most important. It involves parting the hair in sections and rubbing the treatment along the exposed area. It is best to do this in a sequential fashion working your way around the hair. You may need someone to help you in order to see the top of your head properly.

Providing care is taken to avoid scratching the scalp, combing and brushing to remove scaling is not only good but necessary.

Scalp psoriasis should not prevent any cosmetic procedures. Having a perm or colouring the hair can have a positive effect on your self esteem. Hair dyes are gentler than they used to be but it would be best to seek advice from a hairdresser who should have up to date information about possible options rather than colour or tint your hair at home. It is also a good idea to make sure that there are no scratches on the scalp when the hair is treated as the chemicals concerned can cause irritation on the broken skin.

A good hairdresser should be able to help you manage your hair and scalp. Telephone in advance and speak to a stylist to explain the situation or try to find a hairdresser who will visit you in your home.

Some people with severe psoriasis suffer temporary thinning of the hair. This can be very distressing but the hair will grow again once the flare up has subsided.

Psoriasis is known as the waxing and waning condition, and it can and does go away. Some people may be lucky enough not to suffer a further flare up, others may experience long remissions. It is unusual for anyone to suffer extensive scalp psoriasis for a long time, provided they seek medical help and use treatments as directed.

Children Suffer From Psoriatic Arthritis Also

Juvenile psoriatic arthritis can be tricky to diagnose. While psoriasis is a common skin condition, associated primarily with a chronic rash all over the, only about 12 to 14 percent of people with psoriasis will develop related arthritis.CausesGenetic and environmental factors play a strong role in the development of psoriatic arthritis. A family history of psoriasis is linked to many children with juvenile psoriatic arthritis, as well as a family history of other forms of spondyloarthropathy. There is little relationship between the severity of a rash and the risk of getting juvenile psoriatic arthritis, however.NOTE: In some people with juvenile psoriatic arthritis, the arthritis shows up before the rash. In these cases, diagnosis can be so difficult that it may take up to 10 years to be certain of a definite diagnosis.Signs and Symptoms
Pitting or thickening and yellowing of the fingernails and toenails
A small round scaly patch on the scalp, belly button or buttocks
Joint problems in large joints, such as the hip and sacroiliac joints
Joint problems can occur on just one side or in the same joints on both sides of the body
Swelling of entire fingers or toes, making them resemble sausages (dactylitis)
Eye inflammation occurs in 10 to 20 percent of children
NOTE: Children with juvenile psoriatic arthritis should be examined by an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) annually to check for eye problems.Long-term Concerns
Damage to the eyes or other eye problems
Decreased range of motion of a joint
Shortening or lengthening of a limb or digit
Damaged cartilage and/or enlargement of a joint
NOTE: Many children have no long-term consequences of having juvenile psoriatic arthritis. Your child may have none, one or several of the concerns listed above, but you should be on the lookout for any or all of them.

Psoriasis Cover ups

People are curious when they see something different, especially on your skin. You have many choices about how to react to their curiosity. You may choose to ignore their attention, or you can explain that psoriasis is a skin disease that is not contagious. Educating people about psoriasis is very valuable because it helps them to accept people who live with skin that is different.
But when you wish to go out in public without addressing your skin condition, certain techniques can help you cope. Wearing long sleeves, pants, turtlenecks, hats or scarves, for example, can make coping in public a lot easier on days when you don't have the emotional energy to accept the stares and questions.
Cosmetic cover-up products can help for those times when clothing won't do. Masking psoriasis lesions and camouflaging redness can make it easier to feel confident in social situations. Dermablend is one brand name of a body makeup that some people use. It can be found in major department stores.
Caution: Never apply cosmetic cover-up to open skin lesions, unhealed cuts or raw or irritated skin. Avoid using cosmetics if skin allergies are present. If you're ever in doubt about applying a cover-up, seek the advice of your physician.
Note: Not all types of psoriasis can be camouflaged. Masking pustular or erythrodermic psoriasis is not a good idea, because minor irritants in cosmetics can produce stinging and redness, and this skin is already inflamed.
What can I do to make my psoriasis less noticeable?Using moisturizers regularly can help improve the redness and scaling of psoriasis lesions. Also, remove as much scale as possible if you are going to use a cosmetic cover-up. There are two ways you can get rid of psoriasis scale on your own:
Occlusion: You can coat each plaque with a thick layer of heavy, over-the-counter emollient cream and then cover it overnight with a plastic wrap. In the morning, wash away the scales in the shower. Note: never occlude a prescription drug without first consulting your doctor.
Hydration: After soaking for 10 to 15 minutes in warm water and bath oil, gently rub your skin with a towel to remove the scales

THE FACTS ON PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS

Psoriatic arthritis is a genetically determined autoimmune disease that occurs in less than 10 percent of persons with psoriasis. Its treatment often requires consultation with a rheumatologist in addition to treatment of the skin lesions by a dermatologist. Psoriatic arthritis is classified with the disease grouping called seronegative spondyloarthropathies which also includes ankylosing spondylitis, enteropathic arthritis, and Reiter’s Syndrome. It occurs most frequently in psoriasis patients whose disease is active, especially in persons with the pustular type of psoriasis. Occasionally it appears in a person who has no dermatologic signs or symptoms of psoriasis, in which case it must be diagnosed by its unique laboratory test results. Psoriasis of the fingernails and toenails is associated with a higher incidence of psoriatic arthritis.
Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis resemble those of rheumatoid arthritis, although the diseases are otherwise quite different. Arthritis changes cause deterioration and pain in small joints of the hands and feet, large joints of the legs and spine, and tendons. Nonspecific foot pain or "tennis elbow" may be an early symptom to appear and may be overlooked if not associated with psoriatic skin or nail lesions.
Confirmation of a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis requires specific blood and serum tests to differentiate it from conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.
Please see the National Psoriasis Foundation for information on the treatment of psoriatic arthritis.
A pediatric form of psoriatic arthritis may appear as early as age 2 to 4 years in girls. A peak period of pediatric onset is age 11 to 12 in both girls and boys. In children the arthritis may appear several years prior to the onset of psoriatic skin lesions; this may pose a problem in recognizing the nature of the underlying disease, especially if there is no known family history of psoriasis.
Although psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis occasionally occur in the absence of a history of psoriasis in the family, a genetic predisposition for psoriasis is considered to be a necessary condition for development of psoriatic arthritis. The evidence for inheritability is well established.
As in the case of psoriasis, an environmental "trigger" may initiate the development of psoriatic arthritis in a genetically predisposed person.

Nail Psoriasis

About 50 percent of persons with active psoriasis have psoriatic changes in fingernails and/or toenails. In some instances psoriasis may occur only in the nails and nowhere else on the body. Psoriatic changes in nails range from mild to severe, generally reflecting the extent of psoriatic involvement of the nail plate, nail matrix (tissue from which the nail grows), nail bed (tissue under the nail), and skin at the base of the nail. Damage to the nail bed by the pustular psoriasis can result in loss of the nail.

Nail changes in psoriasis fall into general categories that may occur singly or all together:
The nail plate is deeply pitted, probably due to defects in nail growth caused by psoriasis.
The nail has a yellow to yellow-pink discoloration, probably due to psoriatic involvement of the nail bed.

White areas appear under the nail plate. These are air bubbles marking spots where the nail plate is becoming detached from the nail bed (onycholysis). There may be reddened skin around the nail.

The nail plate crumbles in yellowish patches (onychodystrophy), probably due to psoriatic involvement in the nail matrix.

Psoriasis of the nails can resemble other conditions such as chronic infection or inflammation of the nail bed or nail fold. Psoriasis of the toenails can resemble chronic fungal infection of the nails.

A person with psoriatic nails should avoid any injury - bumps, scrapes, etc. - that may trigger a worsening of psoriasis (Koebner’s phenomenon). Nail psoriasis is treated by the dermatologist as part of the overall treatment of the disease.

Nail psoriasis is frequently associated with psoriatic arthritis

Psoriasis Sufferers Face Increased Risks From Heart Disease

People severely afflicted by psoriasis have a significantly increased risk of dying from heart disease, new research shows.
A Swedish study found that patients hospitalised with the skin disorder were 50% more likely to die from a heart condition than expected.
The extra risk increased sharply as patients got younger, rising to 162% for those admitted under the age of 40.
For severe psoriasis sufferers aged 40-59 when they were hospitalised, the risk was 91% higher than in the average population.
However the same trend was not seen in less seriously affected individuals who were not admitted to hospital.
The findings emerge from a Swedish study of almost 9,000 psoriasis patients admitted to dermatology wards and more than 19,000 outpatients.
They suggest a genetic defect linking the skin condition and heart problems.
Serious psoriasis sufferers are known to have raised levels of blood cholesterol, which is a chief indicator of heart and artery disease.
Previously this was blamed on the age of older patients or the long term effect of drugs used to treat the disorder.
But the Swedish researchers found high cholesterol levels in a group of 600 newly diagnosed patients who had been suffering from psoriasis for less than a year.

Thymodepressin Now in Clinical Development In US

Few diseases cause more misery than psoriasis, a condition that occurs when a person's immune system overreacts and begins to attack the skin. Psoriasis is a non-contagious skin disorder which most commonly appears as inflamed, fluid-filled skin lesions covered with a silvery white scale. In its more severe phase, the scaly, red blotches can become itchy or painful and cover large areas of skin.
Approximately 2% of the population suffers from this often painful inflammatory condition. In the United States alone, this translates to about 5.5 million patients, many of whom are suffering from a reduced quality of life, and its effect can be as bad as or worse than many other well known diseases or conditions.
GenaDerm, a specialty dermatological company, is in the race to provide better therapies for more effective treatment of psoriasis. GenaDerm is a subsidiary of Bioaccelerate Holdings Inc. (OTCBB:BACL). The privately held company is co-developing with Immunotech Developments Inc., for Thymodepressin(r) the first synthetic peptide developed for the treatment of autoimmune diseases including psoriasis. Immunotech is a biotechnology-focused firm that works to develop novel therapeutic peptides for the treatment of large market diseases.
Now in clinical development and testing in North America, Thymodepressin(r) has already proved to be an effective treatment for psoriasis in Russia, where the drug was invented and is currently sold.
Professor Vladislav Deigin, Chief Executive Officer and President of Immunotech and inventor of Thymodepressin(r) said, "Immunotech was established to pursue the development and commercialization opportunities presented by a scientific platform for the identification and production of peptides. We are delighted that this has been the basis of developing an effective treatment for such a chronic and debilitating condition. Key therapeutic goals in the treatment of psoriasis are alleviation of the condition, and sustainability of the relief provided by treatment. After successfully treating many psoriasis patients in Russia we are optimistic that clinical trials will confirm this efficacy in other countries."
Christopher O'Toole, Head of Specialty Pharmaceuticals for Bioaccelerate said, "In the United States alone, 30% of psoriasis sufferers or 1.5 million patients are seeking treatment. Of these, roughly one third have moderate to severe psoriasis. We are confident that Thymodepressin(r) will demonstrate similar clinical efficacy for this group of patients as it progresses through its planned clinical trial program, and thus provide more treatment options in the future."