Breakthrough in Psoriasis Treatment: Seragen's IL-2 Fusion Toxin Shows Promise

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at The Rockefeller University have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the cause and potential treatment of psoriasis, a debilitating skin condition affecting approximately 2% of the population, or between 2.5 and 5 million people in the United States. An open-label, Phase I/II clinical trial conducted under the direction of James Krueger, M.D., Ph.D., has revealed promising results for Seragen's Interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor-targeted Fusion Toxin. The study demonstrated a marked reduction in T cells, suggesting a primary immunological basis for the disease, and a reversal of several markers of skin dysfunction.

Key Takeaways:

  • The IL-2 Fusion Toxin, developed by Seragen, specifically targets activated immune cells in psoriasis, showing promise as a treatment for the disease.
  • In the 18 patients completing at least two courses of treatment, disease severity scores decreased significantly by a mean of 32 percent at the end of two courses.
  • The results were statistically significant, with a probability of occurring by chance being one in 10,000.
  • 12 patients completed at least three courses, with a mean reduction in disease severity of 46 percent.
  • Four patients treated with the third highest dose had a 53 percent mean reduction from baseline in disease severity scores at the end of three courses.
  • Dr. Krueger believes that psoriasis may be the most common immune system disease, and the results of this trial may suggest a general approach to the treatment of other autoimmune diseases as well.
  • Seragen is developing a proprietary technology to create a pipeline of unique receptor-targeted therapeutic products, known as fusion toxins, which consist of a toxin fragment genetically fused to a hormone or growth factor.
  • Fusion toxins are being explored for various diseases, including cancer and dermatological conditions, such as lymphoma, psoriasis, and HIV infection.
  • Phase III clinical trials of IL-2 Fusion Toxin have begun for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, and planning is underway for Phase II studies in these indications.

Statistics:

  • Psoriasis affects approximately 2% of the population in the United States, or between 2.5 and 5 million people.
  • Disease severity scores decreased by a mean of 32 percent at the end of two courses in 18 patients.
  • Disease severity scores decreased by a mean of 46 percent at the end of three courses in 12 patients.
  • Four patients treated with the third highest dose had a 53 percent mean reduction from baseline in disease severity scores.
  • The probability of the results occurring by chance was one in 10,000.

Sources:

  • Nature Medicine, May 1995
  • PRNewswire, May 1, 1995
  • The Rockefeller University
  • Seragen, Inc.