(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 13 - Approximately 2 million people in Italy are affected by psoriasis. The disease is caused by inflammation mediated by the immune system and is characterized by skin lesions that can occur in confined areas or extend all over the body. Up to 30% of people with psoriasis may develop psoriatic arthritis over time. These two conditions, between dermatology and ereumatology, have a link: an imbalance in the immune system that leads to chronic inflammation. A mediatutorial sheds light on the news available to clinicians and patients. "There is no cure for psoriasis," highlights KettyPeris, president of the Society of Medical, Surgical Dermatology,aesthetic and sexually transmitted diseases - but therapies thanks to which it is possible to control the clinical manifestations of the disease, allowing long periods of remission. "Psoriatic arthritis affects about 500,000 people in Italy. It causes pain, stiffness and swelling of the joints; 30 and 50 years, but it can develop at any age. "Today - adds Ennio Lubrano, professor of rheumatology at the University of Molise - with therapies aimed at particular targets, such as cytokines, it is possible to achieve clinical remission or minimal disease activity" . Among the novelties guselkumab, developed by Janssen, the first entirely human monoclonal antibody that binds to interleukin -23,a factor that may contribute to the development of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases such as plaque psoriasis and active psoriatic arthritis.
Guselkumab, by binding to the IL-23 specific subunit p19, blocks its effects, without affecting IL-12 and IL-17 which are important for defense against pathogens.
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