The injection that clears up psoriasis ‘in 12 weeks’

PSORIASIS sufferers could achieve their holy grail of clear skin in just 12 weeks, thanks to a new drug.

Called kyntheum, it has been approved for use in the UK after trials showed it banished symptoms in about 40 per cent of patients within three months. After a year of taking the drug, half of the volunteers on the trial were completely better.

The drug is given as an injection under the skin once a week for three weeks, then once a fortnight for life.

The treatment differs from existing medicines because it acts directly on cells in the skin, whereas current drugs are less effective because they target cells in the blood.

Leading dermatologists have welcomed the breakthrough. Professor Chris Griffiths, from Manchester University, said: ‘This drug will help people achieve long-lasting clear skin and will be welcomed.’ And Professor Richard Warren, consultant dermatologist at North West and Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘Having completely clear skin is life-changing for people with psoriasis.

‘The difference between almost clear and completely clear skin is considerable when it comes to how patients feel about themselves.’

Psoriasis, which can cause red, flaky patches on the skin all over the body, affects 1.8 million people in the UK.

It can seriously affect quality of life – sufferers are up to three times more likely to become depressed or suicidal.

Kyntheum works by locking on to a protein that triggers inflammation in the skin, stopping it from causing damage.

During trials involving 4,373 patients, between 37 and 44 per cent had psoriasis-free skin after three months. Among those on a rival drug, the improvement figure was about 20 per cent.

After a year, more than half of the volunteers taking the kyntheum injection had clear skin, compared to 30 per cent on the other drug.

Kyntheum could be available on the NHS from September through a special scheme to fasttrack new drugs, while NICE – the NHS spending watchdog – looks at the costs in full detail.