RESEARCH - Ustekinumab for psoriasis beats Enbrel

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J & J's Experimental Psoriasis Drug Beats Enbrel

By Ed Silverman

September 18th, 2008

The health care giant released results of a Phase III study showing

ustekinumab was just as safe and effective as the top-selling med sold

by Amgen and Wyeth, which has a 75 percent share of the market, but

required fewer injections.

Patients received either twice-weekly injections of Enbrel or 45 mg or

90 mg injections of the J & J drug at the start of the trial and four

weeks later. After 12 weeks, 74 percent given the higher dose of

ustekinumab and 68 percent on the lower dose saw at least a 75 percent

reduction in psoriasis symptoms, such as red scaly patches. By

comparison, 57 percent on Enbrel saw a similar reduction (here is the

statement).

The drug works by blocking interleukin-12 and interleukin-23, which

are proteins linked to inflammation in psoriasis and other autoimmune

disorders. Last month, the FDA extended its review of ustekinumab to

December to study additional submissions from J & J, but did not request

additional clinical trials.

If approved, ustekinumab would compete with Enbrel, Abbott's Humira

and J & J's own Remicade, which is given by intravenous infusion. These

block a protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) that causes

inflammation, which are effective, but raise the risk of infection and

can reactivate tuberculosis, and some researchers believe they

potentially increase the risk of cancer.

http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/09/jjs-experimental-psoriasis-drug-beats-enbrel/

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Not an MD