In two trials in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, the anti–interleukin-17A monoclonal antibody secukinumab was more effective than placebo and etanercept. Infectious complications ...occurred more often with secukinumab than with placebo.
Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease that is associated with substantial impairment of physical and psychological quality of life.
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Our understanding of the pathogenesis of psoriasis was advanced by the discovery of the class of type 17 helper T (Th17) cells, which regulates innate and adaptive immunity. The proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-17A is the primary effector of Th17 cells, but it is also produced by other cell types in psoriatic lesions, including γδ T cells, neutrophils, and possibly mast cells.
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Interleukin-17A stimulates keratinocytes to secrete chemokines and other proinflammatory mediators that recruit additional inflammatory cells, including neutrophils, . . .
Atopic dermatitis (AD) requires long‐term management, mainly with topical anti‐inflammatory agents. Topical corticosteroids (TCS) and tacrolimus ointment (TAC‐O) are recommended as first‐line ...treatments for AD. However, the long‐term use of TCS is limited by cutaneous adverse events such as skin atrophy. For TAC‐O, Japanese and US labelings were updated in 2003 and 2006, respectively, to include a boxed warning about a theoretical risk of skin cancer and lymphoma in patients treated with topical calcineurin inhibitors. However, TAC‐O has been used worldwide for longer than 15 years to treat adult and pediatric patients with AD. Available data suggest that TAC‐O is effective and well tolerated, and can improve quality of life. TAC‐O has successfully been used in the proactive management of AD consisting of long‐term intermittent use to prevent, delay or reduce the occurrence of AD flares. Systemic drug absorption after TAC‐O application is negligible and unlikely to result in systemic immunosuppression. There is currently no strong evidence of an increased rate of malignancy in treated patients, and observational data from postmarketing surveillance studies have shown no safety concerns. In the absence of robust evidence, the warning about the carcinogenic potential in the Japanese labeling for TAC‐O does not appear justified and should be reconsidered. This mitigation of description would allow adult and pediatric patients with AD to receive the effective treatment more appropriately.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Highlights • Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory immune-mediated skin disease. • Excessive IL-17 signaling is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of psoriasis. • Brodalumab is a human ...anti-IL-17 receptor A monoclonal antibody. • Brodalumab demonstrated rapid and robust improvements in clinical outcomes in Japanese patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. • Safety profile was acceptable in the phase 2 study.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Abstract Background A clinical trial of infliximab in psoriasis has not yet been performed in Asian populations, although infliximab has been approved for the indications of psoriatic arthritis and ...plaque psoriasis in the US and the EU. Objective This study aims to validate the efficacy and safety of infliximab in Japanese patients with plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Methods Patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis, including psoriatic arthritis, were randomized to the induction therapy (Weeks 0, 2 and 6) with infliximab 5 mg/kg ( n = 37) or placebo ( n = 17). For the maintenance therapy, infliximab was administered every 8 weeks from Week 14 to Week 62 in the infliximab group, and placebo was switched to infliximab in the placebo group starting at Week 16. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients who had achieved at least 75% improvement in the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI 75 response rate) from baseline at Week 10. Results At Week 10, a total of 68.6% of patients receiving infliximab and none of those receiving placebo, achieved PASI 75 response ( p < 0.001). A significant improvement in PASI, PGA, DLQI, and patient's pain assessment was seen from Week 6 through Week 14 in the infliximab group compared with the placebo group. Through Week 66, PASI, PGA, DLQI as well as pain relief were better maintained. Conclusion Infliximab could provide a sustained improvement effect on skin and joint symptoms, and accordingly contributed to a sustained improvement in the QOL of patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Infliximab was generally well tolerated in most patients. These results corresponded with the results of the trials in the US and the EU.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
•We corrected a gene mutation in RDEB-specific iPSC without any footprint.•CRISPR/Cas9 is an easy-designed and efficient tool for gene editing.•piggyBac transposon can remove the residual gene during ...gene editing process.•iPSC-derived keratinocytes after gene editing can provide proper type VII collagen.•Inherited disease-specific iPSC is a good cell source for gene/cell therapy.
Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a monogenic skin blistering disorder caused by mutations in the type VII collagen gene. A combination of biological technologies, including induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and several gene-editing tools, allows us to develop gene and cell therapies for such inherited diseases. However, the methodologies for gene and cell therapies must be continuously innovated for safe clinical use.
In this study, we used the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 technology to correct the pathogenic mutation in RDEB-specific iPSCs, and the piggyBac transposon system so that no residual gene fragments remained in the genome of iPSCs after correcting the mutation.
For homologous recombination (HR)-based gene editing using CRISPR/Cas9, we designed guide RNA and template DNA including homologous sequences with drug-mediated selection cassette flanked by inverted repeat sequences of the transposon. HR reaction using CRISPR/Cas9 was induced in RDEB-specific iPSCs, and mutation-corrected iPSCs (MC-iPSCs) was obtained. Consequently, the selection cassette in the genome of MC-iPSCs was removed by transposase expression.
After CRISPR/Cas9-induced gene editing, we confirmed that the pathogenic mutation in RDEB-specific iPSCs was properly corrected. In addition, MC-iPSCs had no genetic footprint after removing the selection cassette by transposon system, and maintained their “stemness”. When differentiating MC-iPSCs into keratinocytes, the expression of type VII collagen was restored.
Our study demonstrated one of the safer approaches to establish gene and cell therapies for skin hereditary disorders for future clinical use.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Previous studies demonstrated that delgocitinib ointment, a novel topical Janus kinase inhibitor, rapidly improved clinical signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis (AD) in Japanese adult patients. We ...sought to evaluate the long‐term safety and efficacy of delgocitinib 0.5% ointment in a 52‐week study (QBA4‐2). Japanese patients aged 16 years or older with AD received delgocitinib 0.5% ointment b.i.d. for up to 52 weeks. Topical corticosteroids for the treatment of worsening of AD could be used at the investigators’ discretion during the treatment period. Safety end‐points included the incidence and severity of adverse events (AEs). Pooled safety analyses included the data from the other long‐term study (QBA4‐1). Efficacy end‐points included the percentage change from baseline in the modified Eczema Area and Severity Index (mEASI). A total of 506 patients were included in the pooled safety population. Overall, AEs were reported in 69.0% of patients; most AEs were mild and unrelated to delgocitinib ointment. The most common AE was nasopharyngitis, followed by contact dermatitis, acne, and application site folliculitis. No skin atrophy or telangiectasia was found at the application sites of delgocitinib ointment. Application site irritation symptoms were infrequent (<2%) and mild. The incidence of AEs did not increase over time, except for seasonal diseases. The improvement effects on AD as assessed by mEASI were maintained throughout the treatment period. Delgocitinib 0.5% ointment was well tolerated and effective when administrated to Japanese adult patients with AD for up to 52 weeks.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Methylation of a CpG island (CGI; a dense cluster of CpGs) located in the 5' region of a gene suppresses transcription of that gene. Interferon regulatory factor 6 (IRF6) is associated with the ...expression of interferon, which is used as an effective adjuvant therapy for melanoma, and is regarded as a tumor suppressor. However, little is known about the methylation status of the IRF6 gene in melanoma.
The purpose was to determine the methylation status of the CGI located in the 5' region of IRF6 (5' IRF6 CGI) in melanoma.
Quantitative real-time methylation-specific PCR (RT-MSP) and bisulfite sequencing were performed to examine IRF6 gene methylation status. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) was performed to examine IRF6 expression.
The methylation level of the 5' IRF6 CGI was completely inversely correlated with cell sensitivity to interferon-β in eight examined melanoma cell lines. These methylation levels were high in the melanoma cell lines with suppression of IRF6 expression and were low in the cell lines with IRF6 expression. The methylation levels of the 5' IRF6 CGI ranged widely from 0.0% to 65.4% in 21 clinical melanoma samples but showed a narrow range of low levels between 0.0% to 7.2% in 24 clinical melanocytic nevus samples. These methylation levels were not associated with clinical parameters except for melanoma subtypes.
IRF6 is aberrantly silenced by DNA methylation of the 5' IRF6 CGI in melanoma. The methylation status of IRF6 is potentially associated with the sensitivity of melanoma to interferon.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) and erythrodermic psoriasis (EP) are the rare and severe subtypes of psoriasis, which are often difficult to treat. The aim of this phase 3, open‐label study was ...to evaluate efficacy and safety of guselkumab, a human interleukin‐23 monoclonal antibody, in Japanese patients with GPP and EP. Guselkumab 50 mg was administrated to GPP (n = 10) and EP (n = 11) patients at weeks 0, 4 and thereafter every 8 weeks (q8w). Beginning at week 20, patients were escalated to 100 mg q8w if they met the dose escalation criteria. The primary end‐point was the proportion of patients achieving treatment success (Clinical Global Impression score of “very much improved”, “much improved” or “minimally improved”) at week 16. Safety evaluations included assessment of treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAE) through week 52. At week 16, the proportions of GPP and EP patients achieving treatment success were 77.8% (7/9) and 90.9% (10/11), respectively. Furthermore, guselkumab treatment consistently showed improvement in responses of secondary end‐points such as Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, Investigator's Global Assessment, Japanese Dermatological Association severity index and improvement in body surface area involvement. Improvements in quality of life, as assessed by the Dermatology Life Quality Index, were also observed through week 52. The most commonly reported TEAE was nasopharyngitis (28.6%, 6/21). Safety findings were consistent with those observed previously in other studies. In conclusion, guselkumab treatment demonstrated efficacy and showed no safety concerns in Japanese patients with GPP and EP through week 52.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Previous global studies of guselkumab have demonstrated clinical benefits in patients with psoriasis. The aim of this 52‐week, phase 3 study was to evaluate efficacy and safety of guselkumab in ...Japanese patients with moderate to severe plaque‐type psoriasis. Patients randomly received guselkumab 50 mg or 100 mg at weeks 0, 4 and every 8 weeks, or placebo with cross‐over to guselkumab 50 mg or 100 mg at week 16. Co‐primary end‐points were the proportion of patients achieving Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) cleared/minimal (0/1) and 90% or more improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI‐90) at week 16. Overall, 192 patients were randomized to placebo, guselkumab 50 mg or 100 mg. At week 16, patients in the placebo group were crossed over to guselkumab 50 mg or 100 mg. At week 16, a significantly (P < 0.001) higher proportion of patients receiving guselkumab 50 mg and 100 mg versus placebo achieved IGA 0/1 (92.3% and 88.9% vs 7.8%) and PASI‐90 (70.8% and 69.8% vs 0%). Patients in guselkumab 50 mg and 100 mg groups achieved significant improvement versus placebo in PASI‐75 (89.2% and 84.1% vs 6.3%, P < 0.001) at week 16; improvement was maintained through week 52. Incidences of treatment‐emergent adverse events were comparable among the groups through week 16; the most commonly reported was nasopharyngitis. No new safety concerns were observed until week 52. In conclusion, guselkumab treatment demonstrated superior efficacy over placebo and was well tolerated in Japanese patients with moderate to severe plaque‐type psoriasis.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
•Human anti-OX40 monoclonal antibody (KHK4083) as novel drug for treating atopic dermatitis.•Study assessed safety and efficacy for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis patients.•Repeated intravenous ...infusion of KHK4083 had an acceptable safety profile.•Sustained improvement in symptoms of atopic dermatitis was observed in patients.
KHK4083, a fully human anti-OX40 monoclonal antibody, is a potential novel therapeutic option for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD), targeting the immunopathogenic pathways.
Assess the safety and tolerability of repeated doses of KHK4083 in patients with moderate to severe AD, and investigate the pharmacokinetics and immunogenicity of KHK4083. Additionally, assess the clinical efficacy and pharmacodynamics as exploratory objectives.
In this phase 1, single-center, open-label, repeated-dose study, a total of 22 patients received KHK4083 10 mg/kg IV on Day 1, Day 15 and Day 29, and were followed until Day 155.
There were no deaths, serious adverse events (SAEs), or discontinuations due to adverse events (AEs). Common treatment-emergent AEs were mild or moderate pyrexia (11 patients, 50.0 %), and chills (8 patients, 36.4 %). No clinically meaningful changes in the laboratory values, vital signs, and electrocardiogram recordings were observed. The Cmax was 267 ± 53 μg/mL and the t1/2 was 303 ± 88 h at Day 29. The overall assessment of antibodies against KHK4083 (immunogenicity) showed low positive responses. Continued improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) and Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) scores were observed throughout the study. The mean and median percent changes in thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) continued to decrease over time to −70.4 and −78.8 % until Day 155.
Repeated intravenous infusion of KHK4083 had an acceptable safety profile in patients with moderate to severe AD. Sustained improvement in the symptoms of AD was observed after completion of KHK4083 treatment.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP