Health
Advances in psoriasis treatments
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Aug. 23, 2004
Psoriasis patients who have given up in frustration on treating their disease should be encouraged to check in with a physician because significant advances have been made over the past five years, said Gail M. Zimmerman, president and CEO of the Psoriasis Foundation. Some of the new treatments were highlighted at the Foundation's national conference held earlier this month in San Diego.
For example, the first drug for treating psoriatic arthritis has been approved, as have three biologic drugs that target portions of the immune system implicated in psoriasis. Some older treatments have also been improved in recent years, she said.
A new method of administering ultraviolet light has been devised that uses a narrower range of light to maximize effectiveness. A laser that directs light to small, problematic patches of skin is also available.
In addition, a foam-based topical treatment has been developed.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/08/23/hlbf0823.htm.
