Targeting angiogenesis in psoriasis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Targeting angiogenesis in psoriasis: a translational bridge from pre-clinical studies to a novel therapeutic paradigm for psoriasis.
IRAS ID
307250
Contact name
Helen Young
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
In this highly translational project, we build upon a body of work funded by the British Skin Foundation (BSF) where, in proof-of-principal experiments, we demonstrated a significant reduction in blood vessel density in psoriatic skin treated with anti-VEGF-A therapy in comparison to untreated psoriatic skin, suggesting that anti-VEGF-A treatment strategies offer therapeutic utility for psoriasis. However, VEGF-A/VEGF receptor pathway inhibitors are widely used for other diseases but are not licenced for treatment of psoriasis and therefore, the purpose of this proposal is to place special emphasis on elucidating the influence of current biological therapies on circulating levels of key angiogenic factors and their impact on peripheral blood mononuclear cell production of VEGF-A.
This cohort study is funded by The British Skin Foundation. It will involve recruitment of patients with Type 1 chronic plaque psoriasis (onset before age 40 years) with/without psoriatic arthritis, prior to commencement of treatment with either the TNF-α inhibitor (adalimumab, n=6), IL-17A inhibitor (ixekizumab, n=6) and Il-23 inhibitor (guselkumab, n=6). How treatment influences angiogenic signatures will be investigated.
It is envisaged that this study will impact significantly on the scientific understanding of vascular pathophysiology in psoriasis. Our proposed work will bridge the gap between pre-clinical studies of VEGF-A blockade in animal models of psoriasis and will build on our significant contribution to this field to date, providing proof-of-principle for the future development of anti-VEGF-A treatment strategies in the management of psoriasis.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/NW/0353
Date of REC Opinion
1 Feb 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion