EVER HEARD OF BIOLOGICS? HERE’S WHY YOU SHOULD…
Janine Mendes-Franco
As the incidence of autoimmune diseases trends upwards, people living with conditions like alopecia, vitiligo, psoriasis, and psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis – searching for relief from debilitating symptoms – have grappled with serious side effects from prescribed medications.
More targeted treatment
Enter biologics — advanced therapies made from living cells. Unlike conventional drugs, which tend to broadly suppress the immune system, biologics operate in a highly targeted manner. With autoimmune diseases, they block the pathways that trigger your body to attack healthy cells, thereby inhibiting progression of the condition. Simply put, they’ve been a game changer.
By precisely honing in on the molecules involved in the inflammatory process, biologics can help keep symptoms under control while reducing the risk of widespread immune suppression. As with any drug, biologics have better responses in some patients — and this may also change along the journey. Everything is balance, so this may require switching to something else, especially when you consider that biologics are complex to make, and often expensive.
JAK inhibitors also producing results
One option comes in the form of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. JAKs are proteins that help your body’s cells communicate with each other. Think of them like a messenger — but in the case of autoimmune diseases, they’re getting the instructions mixed up. Like biologics, JAK inhibitors have had great success in treating autoimmune diseases and other inflammatory conditions such as:
Alopecia Areata: This sudden hair loss occurs when the immune system attacks hair follicles.
Vitiligo: This condition causes the immune system to destroy melanocytes — the cells responsible for skin colour.
Psoriasis: Rapid skin cell growth causes thick, scaly patches that are often painful and itchy.
Rheumatoid and Psoriatic Arthritis: These painful conditions affect the joints.
While they both modulate the immune system to treat autoimmune conditions, they do so in different ways. In some cases, they might even be used in combination, depending on the patient’s needs and the specific condition being treated.
By blocking the inflammatory signals and pathways that cause such conditions, these two families of drugs are working wonders in easing symptoms, improving functionality and enhancing the quality of people’s lives. But don’t take out word for it — hear about their real-world impact from one of our patients…
R, psoriasis patient
I was prescribed the biologic drug Skyrizi by Dr. Tonya Abraham for the treatment of psoriasis, and to say that it was a complete success is an understatement. I was first diagnosed with psoriasis when I was sixteen. It was extremely difficult for me to accept, because I spent most of my weekends at the beach. My self-confidence was very low and I was in a deep depression, even though I hid it well.
Over the years, I have tried many types of treatments – from herbal teas and acupuncture to every type of cream and soap available. Very few relieved the itching and redness, and those that did wouldn’t last very long once my body got accustomed to it.
Then, earlier this year, Dr. Abraham prescribed this treatment to me. I have to admit I was a bit skeptical – not because I didn’t trust her, but because I’ve had so many disappointments over a 28-year period. I decided I would take her counsel and try the treatment.
“This treatment did for me what all the others couldn’t.”
Four months later, I couldn’t be happier! My advice to those affected is trust your doctor and trust the science. Skyrizi has my vote – every day!
If you are struggling with an autoimmune condition (or undiagnosed symptoms that might suggest this as a possibility), come in and see us. We will assess your particular situation and devise a personalised treatment plan as the condition dictates.
As these innovative classes of drugs evolve, they will continue to provide breakthroughs in autoimmune disease management, safely and effectively.