For more information contact: Boonshoft School of Medicine, Marketing and Communications (937) 775-2951

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2008

Dermatology seeks Volunteers for New Psoriasis Treatment Research Study

Dayton, Ohio — The Department of Dermatology at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine is inviting Dayton area residents who have moderate to severe psoriasis to participate in an important clinical research study investigation.

“Become part of the most exciting advancement in psoriasis to come along in 5 years,” says Michael P. Heffernan, M.D., chair and associate professor of the Department of Dermatology. “This critical study is going on now through Wright State.”

The year-long study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an investigational treatment for psoriasis. This is a brand new medication that is an injectable (given as a shot.) This new medication has the highest rate of clearance to date.

Participation in the new research study, led by Dr. Heffernan, will involve as many as 12 office visits over a period of 12 months. People age 18 or above who have been diagnosed with moderate to severe psoriasis covering at least 10 percent of the body may be eligible to volunteer. Volunteers will receive study-related examinations, lab tests, and study-related medication.

Psoriasis affects three percent of people in the U.S. It is a chronic skin disease resulting in itchy, flaking, inflamed red patches on the skin. Psoriasis is not contagious; it is caused by an error in the body’s immune response. During a flare-up of psoriasis, skin cells grow rapidly. For those with plaque psoriasis areas of rapid cell growth may start as small red spots, enlarging to become patches of inflamed, red, raised skin, covered with silvery scales, which flake, itch, and become sore.

Psoriasis most often appears between the age of 15 and 35, but can occur at any age. One-third of those with psoriasis have a family history of the condition. There is currently no cure for psoriasis. Treatments are aimed at reducing symptoms and improving the quality of life for individuals with the condition.

For more information about the psoriasis research study contact, Caroline McNicholas, research coordinator, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine Department of Dermatology at (937) 528-7267 or online at www.med.wright.edu/derm.

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