"An experimental psoriasis treatment performed significantly better than the commonly prescribed medication methotrexate in a new clinical trial. The drug briakinumab reduced psoriasis symptoms by at least  percent in nearly  percent of those taking it compared to just  percent of those on methotrexate. But serious side effects were more common among the briakinumab users. Very high levels of response were observed and maintained throughout the study period said lead researcher Dr. Kristian Reich a professor of dermatology at the University of Gottingen and a managing partner at Dermatologikum Hamburg both in Germany. Results of the study are published in the Oct.  issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. The study was funded by the drugs manufacturer Abbott Laboratories. Psoriasis affects about  million Americans according to the U.S. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases NIAMS. The disease causes patches of thick red inflamed skin that have silvery scales. Psoriasis can affect any part of the body including the skin nails genitals and inside the mouth according to NIAMS. The current study included  people with moderate to severe psoriasis. The study volunteers had had psoriasis for at least six months and the condition affected at least  percent of their bodies. Nearly half of the study participants were randomly selected to receive injections of briakinumab at a dose of  milligrams mg for the first and fourth week of the study and  mg at week eight and every four weeks thereafter. The study lasted one year. The remaining volunteers were given between  mg and  mg of oral methotrexate weekly. After six months nearly  percent of those in the briakinumab group had at least a  percent improvement in the psoriasis areaandseverity index PASI a commonly used measurement to assess the severity of psoriasis. Slightly less than  percent of those on methotrexate had a  percent improvement in their PASI score according to the study. After a year about  percent of those taking briakinumab had a  percent improvement in their PASI score compared to almost  percent for those on methotrexate according to the study. Briakinumab works by dampening the immune system response that causes psoriasis said Bruce Bebo director of research and medical programs for the National Psoriasis Foundation based in Portland Ore. More serious infections were seen in people taking briakinumab . percent vs. those taking methotrexate . percent. There were also two cases of cancer in people taking briakinumab and none in the methotrexate group. However the researchers said these differences werent statistically significant. Cancer risk is extremely hard to define and this study was not powered to detect any difference in the risk of developing a malignancy said Bebo. He said that in an earlier trial of briakinumab some unexplained major adverse cardiac events occurred. At the time Abbott withdrew its application for approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration pending further research. In the current study no serious cardiovascular events were reported. Of the increased infections and cancers Reich said Although these differences were not statistically significant they lead to questions regarding a favorable riskbenefit profile of the drug. Research on briakinumab is continuing. An ongoing threeyear trial involves  people from the current study. For people living with psoriasis Bebo said the message from this study is that dramatic progress has been made from where we were just five years ago. More information Learn more about psoriasis treatments from the National Psoriasis Foundation http SOURCES Kristian Reich M.D. professor dermatology University of Gottingen and managing partner Dermatologikum Hamburg Germany Bruce Bebo Ph.D. director research and medical programs National Psoriasis Foundation Portland Ore. Oct.   New England Journal of Medicine"