Lung drug proved to ease the pain of psoriasis is providing relieve for three quarters of patients
Lung drug was found to ease the pain of psoriasis by preventing an overactive enzyme from affecting healthy skin
- Roflumilast reduces patches of painful, scaly skin in three-quarters of patients
- The drug could save patients from using strong steroid creams
A drug used to treat inflammation of the lungs may help eradicate severe cases of the skin condition psoriasis.
The drug, called roflumilast, reduces patches of painful, scaly skin in three-quarters of patients, according to study results.
Originally tablets, it was redeveloped as a cream applied to problem areas to counteract phosphodiesterase, an enzyme that can go into overdrive and tell the immune system to attack healthy tissue.
Following successful trial results, the treatment has now been approved for use in the US in patients aged nine and older by the FDA drug watchdog.
Experts say it can save patients from using strong steroid creams, which can cause skin thinning, stretch marks and acne.
The drug, called roflumilast, reduces patches of painful, scaly skin in three-quarters of patients, according to trial results
Over a million people in the UK have psoriasis, which can develop at any age, but usually appears in the 20s and then again in the 50s
Over a million people in the UK have psoriasis, which can develop at any age, but usually appears in the 20s and then again in the 50s.
It is caused by an overproduction of skin cells. They are normally replaced every three to four weeks, but psoriasis patients develop new cells every three to seven days.
Scientists don’t fully understand why this happens in some people, but it’s thought to be related to an overreactive immune system. Treatment consists of creams applied every day, usually with vitamin D or steroid ointments.
In September 2021, the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency warned of withdrawal symptoms in patients who had used steroid creams for a long time. Intense itching, peeling of the skin, oozing and open wounds were noted two weeks after they stopped taking the medication.
But roflumilast did not appear to cause these problems, according to the US studies involving 300 patients.
After two months, three-quarters of the test group saw a significant improvement in skin quality. Of those with less severe psoriasis, 40 percent saw an improvement after 12 weeks.
Roflumilast is also the only treatment so far shown to improve a serious type of the disease called intertriginous psoriasis, in which patients develop purple spots in skin folds, such as the armpits.
It is currently prescribed for NHS patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD – serious lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties.
American dermatologist Dr William Werschler said: ‘Roflumilast cream is exciting because it is a new type of non-steroidal topical medication.
“In clinical trials, the cream was shown to work quickly to reduce itching and clear spots in a wide variety of psoriasis.”