Leading Dermatologists discuss how Stelara™ (ustekinumab) Works for Psoriasis.

People wondering about the new biologic Stelara™   (ustekinumab) for the treatment of psoriasis can now learn from the expert perspective of leading dermatologists.

Since Stelara™ was approved in September 2009 for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis, there has been excitement in the psoriasis community about its efficacy, convenient dosing, and sustained control.

Now expert dermatologists have published their perspective regarding the use of Stelara™  for Psoriasis The clinical judgment shared by these dermatologists are published by Vivacare, a patient education company that provides dermatologists with tools to educate their patients and the public about skin conditions and offer skin care advice.

According to Steve Feldman, M.D., PhD, Professor of Dermatology at Wake Forest University Medical Center, "Stelara appears to be an excellent new option for moderate-to-severe psoriasis, offering patients who have failed other (psoriasis) treatments new hope, and offering the most convenient options yet for treating severe disease. The primary benefits are high efficacy and, so far, good safety (measured over about 2 years of use).”

Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. As many as 7.5 million Americans suffer from psoriasis which has a significant impact on their quality of life, and 10 to 30% of them will also develop psoriatic arthritis. Psoriasis appears in a variety of forms, the most common type being plaque psoriasis. Treatment options include coal tar, topical corticosteroids, methotrexate, cyclosporine, phototherapy (PUVA) and relatively new biologic  medications that are given my injection or IV infusion.

Stelara™ is the most recent biologic to become available to people with psoriasis. It is administered twice in the first month, followed by dosing just four times per year. The relatively long duration of relief between treatments (only 5 doses per year) is perceived has having significant advantages. Stelara™ also has a unique mechanism of action by selectively targeting immune system signals called "cytokines" that are responsible for the inflammation seen with psoriasis, specifically interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interleukin 23 (IL-23). Other biologics regulate different immune system components, such as T-cells or tumor necrosis factor (TNF).

About Vivacare

Vivacare is a patient education company based in Berkeley, California that supports the physician-patient relationship by helping medical professionals share practical health information with their patients, leading to improved clinical care and patient satisfaction. Over 2,000 dermatologists use Vivacare's "from your doctor" service to deliver health information regarding acne and other skin conditions to their patients.