Alefacept: A T-cell-specific immunosuppressant to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (PDF)
Alefacept (Amevive) is the first immunosuppressive agent directed specifically at inhibiting the activation of, and possibly killing, T cells, which are involved in the cascade of events leading to psoriatic plaque formation and inflammation. In May, an FDA advisory committee recommended alefacept for approval as a first-line therapy against moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. The authors of this Focus article review the clinical characteristics of alefacept as well as make comparisons with other systemic drugs currently used to treat chronic psoriasis and the likely biologic competitors etanercept and infliximab.
Elevated levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) drive “inflammaging” processes that take a toll on skin tissue as people age, according to research results reported by Japanese researchers. Reducing IgG may mitigate the loss of collagen and elastin.
Pharmacy benefit managers are moving beyond formulary access to provide support programs for women's health. Here's how three PBMs — Judi Health, LucyRx and RxPreferred — are putting that strategy into practice.
Women face more gaps in healthcare than men, from missed screenings, undertreatment and biased coverage. PBMs are launching programs to address some of the gaps.
Navitus launched three modular options that let plan sponsors manage diabetes, weight, and lifestyle therapy access, cost, and outcomes with guaranteed ROI.
StarkRx has launched as a modular, cost-plus pharmacy benefit management company for self-funded employers using Judi Health’s PBM, Judi Rx, to administer claims.
Researchers and drug developers are targeting pathways that activate mast cells as a way to treat cholinergic urticaria and other forms of inducible urticaria.
A review of 57 studies found music eases pain through positive emotion, control and moving in time with the beat, according to recent research out of Drexel University.
UC San Diego researchers found that early-onset metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease cirrhosis was linked to higher genetic risk and Type 2 diabetes prevalence.