-
1.
Unconventional treatment options in psoriasis: A review.
Neema, S, Sandhu, S, Gupta, A, Jagadeesan, S, Vasudevan, B
Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology. 2022;(2):137-143
Abstract
Psoriasis is a common skin disease that affects 1-3% of the general population. The treatment depends on body surface area involved, quality of life impairment and associated comorbidities. The treatment options include topical therapy, phototherapy, conventional systemic therapy (methotrexate, cyclosporine and acitretin), biologics and oral small molecules (apremilast and tofacitinib). Despite the availability of newer therapies such as biologics and oral small molecules, many a time, there is a paucity of treatment options due to the chronic nature of the disease, end-organ toxicity of the conventional drugs or high cost of newer drugs. In these scenarios, unconventional treatment options may be utilized as stand-alone or adjuvant therapy. In this review, we have discussed these uncommonly used treatment options in the management of psoriasis.
-
2.
New Topical Therapies for Psoriasis.
Lé, AM, Torres, T
American journal of clinical dermatology. 2022;(1):13-24
Abstract
Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated skin disease with a significant impact on patients' quality of life. Mild-to-moderate forms of the disease usually require long-term topical treatment, but prolonged use of corticosteroids and vitamin D analogues is limited by adverse effects. With further understanding of psoriasis pathogenesis, new molecules are emerging aiming to fulfil these clinical needs. Tapinarof, an aryl hydrocarbon receptor modulator, has completed a phase III study and demonstrated good efficacy results, even in long treatment courses, with a favourable safety profile. It additionally appears to have a promising remitting effect as patients presented with an average relapsing time of over 3 months. Roflumilast, a phosphodiesterase type 4 inhibitor, also underwent a phase III study with significant lesion improvement and notable pruritus management, and with no reported side effects. Roflumilast was evaluated as an option for intertriginous areas with good outcomes in a small sample, but larger trials are required. The Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription pathway has been targeted in recent clinical investigations with promising options, currently with brepocitinib pending phase IIb results. Ongoing preclinical studies involving interleukin-2 inhibition, RNA modulators and amygdalin analogues may lead to forthcoming clinical trials. New topical drugs are successfully emerging and future research comparing them to classical options will dictate their clinical role in the treatment of psoriasis.
-
3.
Therapeutic Implications of Diet in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Related Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases.
Jiang, Y, Jarr, K, Layton, C, Gardner, CD, Ashouri, JF, Abreu, MT, Sinha, SR
Nutrients. 2021;(3)
Abstract
Despite being a focal issue to patients, the effect of diet on adult inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains underexplored with limited guidance. While promising clinical trials are currently underway, there is a need for further evidence-based recommendations. As such, we summarize the current evidence on various diets used in the treatment of IBD and also explore the potential applications of dietary data from related immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, to provide additional information to inform IBD providers. To date, there have been multiple diets investigated as adjunctive therapy in IBD, but many associated studies are small, non-randomized, and not controlled. Mediterranean, vegetarian/vegan, and reduced-calorie/fasting diets have been studied and have shown some positive results in other IMIDs, which may suggest potential applicability to those with IBD, but larger, well-designed clinical trials are needed for further guidance. Gluten-free and low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP)diets do not appear to have an impact on IBD disease activity, but low FODMAP may potentially be helpful for those with concurrent functional gastrointestinal symptoms. Specific carbohydrate diets have been mainly assessed in children but show some potential in small adult studies.
-
4.
Cardiovascular Risk in Patients With Psoriasis: JACC Review Topic of the Week.
Garshick, MS, Ward, NL, Krueger, JG, Berger, JS
Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2021;(13):1670-1680
Abstract
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects 2% to 3% of the U.S. population. The immune response in psoriasis includes enhanced activation of T cells and myeloid cells, platelet activation, and up-regulation of interferons, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukins (ILs) IL-23, IL-17, and IL-6, which are linked to vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis development. Patients with psoriasis are up to 50% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease (CV) disease, and this CV risk increases with skin severity. Major society guidelines now advocate incorporating a psoriasis diagnosis into CV risk prediction and prevention strategies. Although registry data suggest treatment targeting psoriasis skin disease reduces vascular inflammation and coronary plaque burden, and may reduce CV risk, randomized placebo-controlled trials are inconclusive to date. Further studies are required to define traditional CV risk factor goals, the optimal role of lipid-lowering and antiplatelet therapy, and targeted psoriasis therapies on CV risk.
-
5.
Nutritional Therapy in Persons Suffering from Psoriasis.
Garbicz, J, Całyniuk, B, Górski, M, Buczkowska, M, Piecuch, M, Kulik, A, Rozentryt, P
Nutrients. 2021;(1)
Abstract
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Immunological, genetic, and environmental factors, including diet, play a part in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Metabolic syndrome or its components are frequent co-morbidities in persons with psoriasis. A change of eating habits can improve the quality of life of patients by relieving skin lesions and by reducing the risk of other diseases. A low-energy diet is recommended for patients with excess body weight. Persons suffering from psoriasis should limit the intake of saturated fatty acids and replace them with polyunsaturated fatty acids from the omega-3 family, which have an anti-inflammatory effect. In diet therapy for persons with psoriasis, the introduction of antioxidants such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, flavonoids, and selenium is extremely important. Vitamin D supplementation is also recommended. Some authors suggest that alternative diets have a positive effect on the course of psoriasis. These diets include: a gluten-free diet, a vegetarian diet, and a Mediterranean diet. Diet therapy for patients with psoriasis should also be tailored to pharmacological treatment. For instance, folic acid supplementation is introduced in persons taking methotrexate. The purpose of this paper is to discuss in detail the nutritional recommendations for persons with psoriasis.
-
6.
Calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate aerosol foam in the treatment of psoriasis: new perspectives for the use of an innovative topical treatment from real-life experience.
Fabbrocini, G, Dauden, E, Jalili, A, Bewley, A
Giornale italiano di dermatologia e venereologia : organo ufficiale, Societa italiana di dermatologia e sifilografia. 2020;(2):212-219
Abstract
The fixed-dose combination of calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate (Cal/BD foam) in aerosol foam formulation is approved for the treatment of plaque psoriasis, and showed prompt onset of action, persistent efficacy and safety both in clinical trials and in real-life studies. The use of Cal/BD foam and its future perspectives of use were discussed during the symposium "Go beyond with topical treatment in psoriasis", held at the 2019 World Congress of Dermatology. We herein present the key topics of the symposium, namely the importance of Cal/BD foam in overcoming poor adherence, the possibility of a proactive (long-term) management of psoriasis and its potential role beyond mild psoriasis. Furthermore, proper adherence to treatment is crucial to achieve optimal clinical outcomes. In clinical trials and real-life experiences, Cal/BD foam has proven to have a fast onset of action and a good benefit/risk ratio due to increased efficacy and similar safety profile compared with other Cal/BD formulations. Given its chronic nature, psoriasis requires a long-term management, also due to the presence of underlying 'silent' inflammation that persists beyond resolution of flares. Cal/BD foam appears a favorable treatment for long-term management, and a specific trial is ongoing to investigate this new proactive approach. Lastly, evidence both from clinical studies and real-life experiences supports the use of Cal/BD foam in patients with moderate-to-severe disease, and this approach also showed greater effectiveness over some non-biologic systemic treatments. Therefore, Cal/BD foam may be considered as the new gold standard in topical therapy for patients with plaque psoriasis.
-
7.
How lifestyle factors and their associated pathogenetic mechanisms impact psoriasis.
Madden, SK, Flanagan, KL, Jones, G
Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland). 2020;(4):1026-1040
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS AND AIMS Psoriasis is a skin disorder affecting approximately 2-3% of the global population. While research has revealed a strong genetic component, there are few studies exploring the extent to which lifestyle factors influence psoriasis pathogenesis. The aim of this review was to describe the role of lifestyle factors as both a potential cause and treatment for psoriasis. The review also examines the underlying mechanisms through which these lifestyle factors may operate. METHODS This narrative review aims to incorporate current knowledge relating to both lifestyle and pathogenetic factors that contribute to and alleviate psoriasis presentation. Studies reporting the effect of an inflammatory diet and potential dietary benefits are reported, as well as insights into the effects of stress, smoking and alcohol, insulin resistance and exercise. RESULTS Poor nutrition and low Omega 3 fatty acid intake, likely combined with fat malabsorption caused by gut dysbiosis and systemic inflammation, are associated with psoriasis. The data strongly suggest that improvements to disease severity can be made through dietary and lifestyle interventions and increased physical activity. Less conclusive, although worthy of mention, is the beneficial effect of bile acid supplementation. CONCLUSIONS Lifestyle interventions are a promising treatment for psoriasis and its associated co-morbidities. However, gaps and inadequacies exist within the literature, e.g. methodology, absence of a unified scoring system, lack of controlled clinical data and lack of studies without simultaneous usage of biologics or alternative therapies. Future directions should focus on high quality cohort studies and clinical trials.
-
8.
Vitamin D and psoriasis: an update for dermatologists and nutritionists.
Megna, M, Ferrillo, M, Barrea, L, Patruno, C, Muscogiuri, G, Savastano, S, Fabbrocini, G, Napolitano, M
Minerva endocrinologica. 2020;(2):138-147
Abstract
Psoriasis is a common chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease, now considered a systemic inflammatory process with several comorbidities. The skin produces vitamin D by the action of ultraviolet light. Vitamin D performs various immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antifibrotic actions. The immunomodulatory effects of vitamin D offer opportunities to improve the treatment of several autoimmune diseases, such as psoriasis. In the literature, several significant associations are reported between low levels of vitamin D and psoriasis. Today, topical vitamin D represents an important therapeutic option due to its action on the proliferation and maturation of keratinocytes. The situation is different regarding the oral intake and integration of vitamin D in psoriasis patients. The use of vitamin D supplementation as an adjunctive treatment option in these patients is still discussed. This work aims to analyze the association between psoriasis and vitamin D levels according to dermatologists and nutritionists.
-
9.
Halobetasol propionate for the management of psoriasis.
Bagel, J, Thibodeaux, QG, Han, G
Cutis. 2020;(2):92-96;E4
Abstract
The use of superpotent topical corticosteroids (TCSs) for the treatment of psoriasis is widely practiced, especially for expedient lesion resolution. However, their continued use in managing this chronic condition is limited because of labelling restrictions, concerns of side effects, and a paucity of data to support long-term management strategies. Halobetasol propionate (HP) is an effective short-term superpotent TCS. A novel HP lotion 0.01% formulation has been developed using a polymeric matrix technology that allows for uniform delivery of optimally sized particles onto the skin surface. The polymeric matrix and emulsion help to keep the skin hydrated and provide more efficient delivery of halobetasol into the epidermis.
-
10.
Photodynamic Therapy of Psoriasis Using Photosensitizers of Vegetable Origin.
Bruschi, ML, da Silva, JB, Rosseto, HC
Current pharmaceutical design. 2019;(20):2279-2291
Abstract
Psoriasis is an immune-mediated, chronic and recurrent inflammatory skin disease, prevalent worldwide, and represents an important burden in life quality of patients. The most common clinical variant is termed as psoriasis vulgaris or plaque psoriasis, which with an individualized and carefully monitored therapy can decrease the patients' morbidity and improving their life quality. The aim is to achieve disease control, minimize the adverse drug effects, and tailor the treatment to individual patient factors. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is based on local or systemic administration of a non-toxic photosensitizer followed by irradiation with a particular wavelength to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), mainly highly cytotoxic singlet oxygen (1O2). The generation of these species results in the attack to substrates involved in biological cycles causing necrosis and apoptosis of affected tissues. Photosensitizers are found in natural products and also obtained by partial syntheses from abundant natural starting compounds. They can be isolated at low cost and in large amounts from plants or algae. Therefore, this manuscript reviews the use of molecules from vegetal sources as photosensitizer agents for the PDT of psoriasis. Psoriasis pathogenesis, management and treatment were reviewed. PDT principles, fundamentals and utilization for the treatment of psoriasis were also discussed. Photosensitizers for PDT of psoriasis are also reviewed focusing on those from vegetal sources. Despite the PDT is utilized for the treatment of psoriasis, very little amount of photosensitizers from plant sources are utilized, such as chlorophyll derivatives and hypericin; however, other natural photosensitizers such as curcumin, could also be investigated. They could constitute a very important, safe and cheap alternative for the successful photodynamic treatment of psoriasis.