Abstract: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) occurs in approximately 30% of psoriasis patients. Understanding the similarities and differences in the etiology of these related diseases may highlight pathways for intervention and allow risk prediction in the future. Both are complex diseases in which environmental susceptibility factors trigger disease in genetically susceptible individuals. In recent years, genome-wide association studies have been highly successful in identifying genetic susceptibility factors for psoriasis. Most of the psoriasis loci tested so far are also associated with PsA. For example, associations of HLA-Cw*06 and the IL12B and IL23R genes are well-established with both conditions. More recently, analysis of psoriasis genome-wide association studies in a PsA subgroup has also implicated IL23A, TNFAIP3, and TNIP1 genetic variants as conferring risk to PsA. One study has suggested that late cornified envelope (LCE) gene polymorphisms are associated with psoriasis but not PsA. However, this finding was not confirmed by a second study. Similarly, association of the 5q31 gene region encompassing the IL13 gene has been reported with PsA but not psoriasis by one group, but this awaits confirmation in other series. Dedicated genome-wide association studies of PsA are underway and are likely to reveal further insights into why some patients with psoriasis develop arthritis whilst the majority do not. ... Read more

Abstract: Interleukin-21 (IL-21), a cytokine produced by activated CD4+ T cells, activated natural killer T cells, and T follicular cells, has been reported to play a crucial role in the tissue-damaging T cell response in various organs, such as gut, skin, pancreas, and joints. This pathogenic effect is strictly linked to the ability of IL-21 to enhance the functional activities of multiple immune and non-immune cells. Consistently, studies from various laboratories have shown that blockade of IL-21 limits the progression of T cell-mediated inflammatory diseases in mice. Here we review the present knowledge on the expression and role of IL-21 in T cell-mediated pathologies. ... Read more

Abstract: Psoriasis is an autoimmune, inflammatory skin disease that afflicts 2% of the general population. It is mediated and perpetuated by T lymphocytes. Significant progress has been made towards both understanding, and the development and marketing of new drugs for psoriasis. It serves a model for studying other T lymphocyte-mediated autoimmune diseases. ... Read more

Aromatase Inhibitor Femara Effective in Preventing Recurring Breast Cancer

Novartis’ drug Femara is shown to be effective in preventing breast cancer from recurrence. The finding was published online by the New England Journal of Medicine on October 10, one month earlier than the scheduled print edition.

Femara (generically called letrozole) is a member of a new class of anti-cancer drugs known as aromatase inhibitors. Aromatase is a key enzyme in the production of estrogen. Tamoxifen, a long-standing anti-cancer drug, works differently, by blocking the receptor for estrogen.

Femara was compared with Tamoxifen in a trial that enrolled 5,000 post-menopausal women who had ... Read more

On May 19, 2003, Genentech announced that its anti-cancer drug Avastin “markedly” improved overall survival when combined with standard chemotherapy in a phase III clinical trial of colon cancer patients. Details of the trial were made available at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s (ASCO) Annual Conference held in Chicago in early June (see below), though the few tidbits that were released on May 19 have proven to be especially juicy. Genentech stock was up 45% or an increase of $8.7 billion in market value following the news. The excitement lived on. In the ensuing days, Genentech stock was up ... Read more

Name: Amevive.

Other Names: Alefacept.

Maker: Biogen Inc.

Disease Treated: Adult patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

Approval Status: Approved by the US FDA for marketing on January 31, 2003.

Chemical/Biological Nature: AMEVIVE is a fusion protein composed of the extracellular CD2-binding portion of the human leucocyte function antigen-3 (LFA-3, or called CD11a) linked to the Fc portion of a human IgG1 antibody. The molecular weight of AMEVIVE is 91.4 kD. It is generated by recombinant DNA technology using Chinese hamster ovarian cells.

Administration: 7.5mg once a week by intravenous injection or 15mg once a week by intramuscular injection. The recommended treatment regimen ... Read more

Johnson & Johnson announced on Feb. 10, 2003 that it will acquire Scios Inc., Sunnyvale, CA in stock transactions worth about $2.4 billion. Scios’ lead marketed product, Natrecor, is a recombinant form of human B-type natriuretic peptide for treating acute heart failure and had total sales of $107 million in 2002. Scios also has an oral small molecule drug, SCIO-469, currently in phase II trial for treating rheumatoid arthritis. The compound is an inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, which participates in the production of pro-inflammatory tumor necrosis factor-a. With Scios’ 2002 annual revenue of just $111 million, Johnson & Johnson ... Read more

On December 17, 2002, US FDA announced that its Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) panel has recommended approving MedImmune’s flu vaccine FluMist for use in people of ages 5 to 49. If approved by the full FDA, it would be the first flu vaccine administered by nasal spray, avoiding the shots that could deter some individuals to take the vaccine.

FluMist is a live, attenuated, molecularly engineered vaccine with a tenuous development history (see drug profile on page 10). It has shown better efficacy than the killed vaccines currently on the market (95% versus 75% efficacy ... Read more

In a pronounced backdrop of Wall Street sentiment that is obsessed with real and perceived worries, capital valuation of biotech and pharmaceuticals companies contracted last month (from August 15th to September 15th) (please see the table for sector indexes). Biotech and pharmaceutical companies were also confronted with their own problems. Product disappointments added to the negative tone.

On September 10, 2002, Genentech announced that its Avastin, a drug that targets the angiogenesis in tumors, failed to prolong the life of breast cancer patients in a large phase III pivotal trial. Genentech has looked upon the drug as the future engine for ... Read more

XOMA and Genentech announced on Septem-ber 17th that they have resolved the batch issue of Raptiva (efalizumab), a psoriasis drug under their development. Earlier this year, FDA asked the two companies to clarify the observation that the same drug produced by Genentech had a higher serum concentration than XOMA’s preparation. The two companies compared the two preparations in a new phase III trial and confirmed that Genentech’s version is just as effective as that of XOMA.

The two companies plan to submit applications for marketing approval before year’s end. Serono S. A. of Switzerland gained the right last month to market ... Read more