REMICADE-Treated Patients Experienced Rapid and Substantial Improvement in Psoriasis in Critical Regio...( Marked Improvement in Four Regions ...),Health

Marked Improvement in Four Regions of Body Consistent with Overall PASI

Response in REMICADE-Treated Patients

SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Data from an integrated analysis of three randomized, placebo-controlled trials showed patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis receiving REMICADE(R) (infliximab) achieved a consistently high level of skin clearance in each of the four body regions (head, trunk, lower and upper extremities) as measured by the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI). At week 10 of the analysis, which included nearly 1,500 subjects, 71 percent of patients receiving REMICADE 3 mg/kg and 79 percent of patients receiving REMICADE 5 mg/kg achieved a PASI 75, or at least a 75 percent improvement in the chronic inflammatory condition, compared with three percent of patients receiving placebo (both P < 0.001). Additionally, 39 percent and 52 percent of patients receiving REMICADE 3 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg, respectively, achieved a PASI 90, or nearly complete skin clearance, versus one percent of patients receiving placebo (both P < 0.001). Investigators reported these findings at the 66th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

In September 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved REMICADE (5 mg/kg) for the treatment of chronic severe plaque psoriasis. Following an initial three infusion treatments (induction regimen), REMICADE is given once every eight weeks, or as few as six times a year.

"This analysis shows that treatment with REMICADE resulted in a consistently high level of clinical response in each quadrant of the body evaluated by PASI, and the results were consistent with patients' overall psoriasis improvement," said Alan Menter, MD, dermatologist, Baylor Research Institute, Dallas, and lead study investigator. "REMICADE remains an important advancement and biologic treatment option for a broad spectrum of patients with severe psoriasis."

According to f
'/>"/>