| Eligibility |
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Males or non-pregnant, non-lactating females:
- Cohort 1: 18 years of age and older
- Cohort 2: 12-16 years and 11 months of age (Cohort 2 will not begin enrollment
until review and approval of safety information from Cohort 1.)
2. If female and of childbearing potential, prepared to abstain from sexual intercourse
or use a reliable method of contraception during the study (e.g., condom, IUD, oral,
transdermal or injected hormonal contraceptives). Female patients using hormonal
contraceptives should have been on the same product/dosing regimen for at least 28
days before baseline and should not change this regimen during the study.
3. Signed informed consent form that meets all criteria of current FDA regulations. For a
patient considered to be a minor in the state he/she lives and is enrolled, the parent
or legal guardian will be required to sign the consent form and the patient will sign
an IRB approved "assent to participate" form. Approved informed consent and assent
forms specific to each cohort will be required.
4. Patients with a definite clinical diagnosis of stable plaque psoriasis with:
- Cohort 1: 18 years of age and older with = 20% BSA affected (excluding the face,
scalp, groin, axillae and other intertriginous areas)
- Cohort 2: 12-16 years and 11 months of age with = 10% BSA affected (excluding the
face, scalp, groin, axillae and other intertriginous areas)
5. Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) score of 3 (Moderate) or 4 (Severe).
6. Patients in Cohort 2 must weigh a minimum of 24 kg.
7. Results from a cortisol response test that are considered normal and show no evidence
of any abnormal HPA function or adrenal response. Patients must fulfill all of the
following stipulations:
1. Basal (pre-Cortrosyn™ injection) cortisol concentration = 5 mcg/100 mL.
2. 30-minute post-injection cortisol level is at least 7 mcg/100 mL greater than the
basal level (= basal value + 7).
3. Post-stimulation level > 18 mcg/100 mL.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Females who are pregnant, nursing, planning to become pregnant during the duration of
the study, or if of childbearing potential and sexually active and not prepared to use
appropriate contraceptive methods to avoid pregnancy.
2. Lacks stable diagnosis of plaque psoriasis or has been diagnosed with mild plaque
psoriasis.
3. IGA score < 3.
4. Plaque psoriasis with a BSA involvement < 20% for Cohort 1 or < 10% for Cohort 2.
5. Current diagnosis of types of psoriasis other than stable plaque psoriasis (i.e.,
erythrodermic, exfolative or pustular psoriasis).
6. Results from a cortisol response test that show evidence of any abnormal HPA function
or adrenal response:
1. Basal (pre-CortrosynTM injection) cortisol concentration < 5 mcg/100 mL.
2. 30-minute post-injection cortisol level is less than 7 mcg/100 mL greater than
the basal level (< basal value + 7).
3. Post-stimulation level = 18 mcg/100 mL.
7. Patient has a history of plaque psoriasis that has been unresponsive to topical
corticosteroid therapy.
8. Any condition (i.e., sunburn, atopic or contact dermatitis, etc.) that, in the
Investigator's opinion, may interfere with the clinical assessments of the signs and
symptoms of plaque psoriasis.
9. History of prolonged bleeding or a past diagnosis of bleeding disorders and/or history
of blood loss exceeding 450 mL (including blood donations) within 1 month before the
study.
10. Patient with poor peripheral venous access.
11. History of mastectomy or lymphatic insufficiency of the upper limb (patient is
eligible if blood can be taken from the arm opposite the site of surgery or
condition).
12. History of allergy or sensitivity to corticosteroids or history of any drug
hypersensitivity or intolerance that in the opinion of the Investigator, would
compromise the safety of the patient or the results of the study.
13. Patient has a significant history or current evidence of chronic infectious disease,
system disorder, Netherton's Syndrome, uncontrolled diabetes, organ disorder or
insufficiency, immunosuppression (from medical treatment or disease) or other medical
condition (including active or recurrent bacterial, viral or fungal infection or open
wounds) that, in the Investigator's opinion, would place the study patient at undue
risk by participation in the study or as an unsuitable candidate for the study.
14. Patients who have a history of or current diagnosis of glaucoma or posterior
subcapsular cataracts or any other ocular condition that, in the opinion of the
Investigator, would place study patient at undue risk.
15. Patient is currently receiving or has received any radiation therapy or
anti-neoplastic agents within 3 months before baseline.
16. Use within 4 weeks before baseline of 1) oral or intravenous corticosteroids, 2)
UVA/UVB therapy, 3) PUVA (psoralen plus ultraviolet A therapy, 4) prescription
strength anti-inflammatory agents, 5) topical tacrolimus or pimecrolimus or 6) any
other systemic psoriasis treatment.
17. Known history of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis impairment or any other
disturbance of the adrenal function (e.g., Cushing or Addison disease).
18. Use of tanning booths or nonprescription UV light source within 2 weeks before
baseline.
19. Use within 8 weeks before baseline of 1) immunomodulators or immunosuppressive
therapies, 2) interferon or 3) systemic retinoids.
20. Use within 14 days before baseline of 1) systemic antibiotics, 2) calcipotriene or
other Vitamin D preparations, or 3) topical retinoids.
21. Patients who have used topical treatments, prescription or over the counter,
including:
1. Any topical anti-psoriatic therapeutic agents of any kind within the 2 weeks
before baseline.
2. Any topical corticosteroids within the 2 weeks before baseline.
3. Any antibacterial, medicated and/or astringent washes, soaps, pads or
moisturizers within 3 days before baseline.
4. High strength (20% or above) alpha-hydroxy acid or any kind of peel or other
procedures (e.g., laser hair removal) within 30 days before baseline.
5. Any topical products (i.e., sunscreens, lotions, creams), except for bland
emollient (moisturizer) within 24 hours before baseline.
6. Topical antibiotics in the treatment area within 7 days before baseline.
7. New regimens of beta blockers.
8. Lithium preparations within 2 weeks before baseline.
9. Anti-malarial agents within 2 weeks before baseline.
22. Patient has been treated within 6 months before baseline with any biological therapies
for psoriasis.
23. Inability to understand the protocol requirements, instructions, and study related
restrictions, the nature, scope, and possible consequences of the clinical study.
24. Unlikely to comply with the protocol requirements, instructions, and study-related
restrictions, such as uncooperative attitude, inability to return for follow-up
visits, and improbability of completing the clinical study.
25. Receipt of any drug as part of a research study within 30 days before baseline.
26. The patient is a member of the investigational study staff or a member of the family
of the investigational study staff.
27. Previous participation in this study.
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