New evidence shows psoriasis can be treated with a microbe derived from gut bacteria.- Evelo Biosciences
Disruptive innovations in psoriasis are leading the way at EADV’s 29th Congress, EADV Virtual. New data published shows the first clinical evidence of modulating systemic inflammation by oral delivery of a non-living single strain commensal microbe. This new therapeutic class brings hope for a completely new way of treating this debilitating skin condition. The phase 1b clinical study by Evelo Biosciences, evaluated EDP 1815, a preparation of a non-living single strain of the bacterium Prevotella histicola, isolated from the small intestine of a human donor, in two cohorts of 12 and 18 patients with mild to moderate psoriasis for 28 days, with follow-up off treatment through 42 days. Early results showed that EDP 1815 was well tolerated at daily doses of up to 8.0x101 cells administered for up to 28 days, with a tolerability profile comparable to placebo, with no serious adverse effects reported. At day 28, the mean percentage reduction in Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score for both EDP 1815 cohorts was 16%, compared to 1% for placebo; with a further improvement to 21% in the high-dose cohort at day 42, but not the low dose cohort (10%) or placebo cohorts (3%). This is indicative of sustained and ongoing clinical effect at the higher dose. The mean reduction in Lesion Severity Scores (LSS) at 28 days were 15% and 23% in the high- and low-dose cohorts, respectively, compared to a 1% increase from baseline in the placebo group. Again, further clinical improvement, to a 24% reduction, was seen in the high-dose cohort. for the first time psoriasis can be treated with a microbe isolated from a human donor’s small intestine. This is a completely new approach to treating inflammation in this debilitating skin condition.