Largest clinical trial for potential new psoriasis treatment

Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK has announced the launch of the UK's largest clinical trial to investigate a potential new biologic treatment for adults with moderate-severe psoriasis.

Dr Richard Warren, Senior Lecturer, University of Manchester and Honorary Consultant Dermatologist at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust and Lead Investigator for the clinical trial, said: "Psoriasis is a common life ruining condition with effects on patients' quality of life similar to diseases such as cancer, heart attack, arthritis and depression. This clinical trial will investigate a new biological therapy for the treatment of psoriasis in what will be the largest trial of its type in the UK to date."

The trial is designed to provide more information about this potential new treatment for moderate-severe psoriasis and will involve approximately 50 dermatology centres across the UK. Adults in the UK with psoriasis who have received treatment from a dermatologist can find out more about the clinical trial at www.psoriasisclinicaltrials.co.uk.

Bernadette, a 46 year old woman has been living with psoriasis since she was a child, said: "I was diagnosed with psoriasis at the age of 12. From that day my life changed for the worse. I hid my arms and legs as I was scared of what people would think. My confidence was shattered. My first marriage broke down due to heavy drinking and suicide attempts, I felt worthless. Psoriasis has affected me physically and mentally everyday."

Psoriasis may profoundly affect all aspects of person's social and personal lives as well as their work.

• There is no cure for psoriasis and over 70% of psoriasis patients report only low to moderate satisfaction with currently available treatment options2
• More than 5% of people with psoriasis experience depression and suicidal thoughts
• Up to 32% of people with moderate to severe psoriasis have been found to have problems with alcohol
• 20% of people with severe psoriasis take antidepressant medication

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition which is estimated to affect between 2% and 3% of the UK population – up to 1.8 million people. Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis, accounting for 80% of cases and is characterised by thick and extensive skin lesions, known to cause itching, scaling and pain. More than one third of people with plaque psoriasis suffer from moderate-severe psoriasis, which can be difficult to treat. People are considered to have moderate-severe psoriasis when more than 10% of their body surface is affected, or when sensitive areas of the body are involved, such as hands or feet, which impacts on a person's quality of life.