New drug relieves psoriasis.

• Position: Skin Care

The millions of Americans who suffer with itching, burning skin caused by psoriasis may find relief from the biologically engineered drug efalizumab. About 25% of patients with moderate to severe psoriasis saw their symptoms improve thanks to a weekly injection.

Not only was treatment quick and effective--scaly patches began to shrink in about four weeks--but there are few of the side effects that accompany most other psoriasis treatments, observes Steve Tyring. professor of dermatology and microbiology and immunology at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. "Some of my patients who have battled psoriasis most of their lives responded incredibly well to this drug."

Psoriasis is an incurable immune system disorder in which certain white blood cells called T cells cause skin cells to multiply too quickly and trigger other ancillary responses, leading to inflammation. Current drug...