Raptiva Medical Information and Internet Resources: Cincinnati Raptiva Lawyer

The following list identifies some of the most important Raptiva Medical terminology and available resources for more information. Joseph Lyon is a Cincinnati Raptiva lawyer and is available to discuss the case. All consultations are confidential and no fee is charged unless the case is successful.

Cincinnati Raptiva Lawyer

Phototherapy

Also known as “light therapy,” exposure to daylight or to specific wavelengths of light using lasers, light-emitting diodes, fluorescent lamps, or very bright, full-spectrum light, for a prescribed amount of time and, in some cases, at a specific time of day. Raptiva injections were introduced as an alternative form of treatment.

A feature of psoriasis is localised inflammation mediated by the immune system. UV radiation is known to suppress the immune system and reduce inflammatory responses. Light therapy for skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema use UVA (315-400nm waveband) or UVB (280-315nm waveband) light waves. UVA, combined with a drug taken orally, is known as PUVA treatment. Narrow Band UVB is the 310nm wave length and is given as a light therapy treatment rather than full spectrum UVB.

Plaque psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis. The skin is red and covered with silvery scales and is inflamed. Patches of circular to oval shaped red plaques that itch or burn are typical of plaque psoriasis. The patches are usually found on the arms, legs, trunk, or scalp but may be found on any part of the skin. The most typical areas are the knees and elbows.

Psoriasis is not contagious and can be inherited. Environmental factors such as smoking, sun exposure, alcoholism, and HIV infection may affect how often the psoriasis occurs and how long the flare-ups last. Approximately 1-2% of people in the United States, or about 5.5 million, have plaque psoriasis. Psoriasis affects children and adults. Men and women are equally affected. Females develop plaque psoriasis earlier than males. The first peak occurrence of plaque psoriasis is in people aged 16-22 years. The second peak is in people aged 57-60 years.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, also known as progressive multifocal leukoencephalitis, is a rare and usually fatal viral disease that is characterized by progressive damage (-pathy) or inflammation of the white matter (leuko-) of the brain (-encephalo-) at multiple locations (multifocal). It occurs almost exclusively in people with severe immune deficiency.  For example, transplant patients on immunosuppressive medications, patients receiving certain kinds of chemotherapy, people with multiple sclerosis infusing Natalizumab (Tysabri) into their arms, psoriasis patients on long-term Efalizumab (Raptiva) or AIDS patients.

The cause of PML is a type of polyomavirus called the JC virus (JCV), after the initials of the patient in whom it was first discovered. The virus is widespread, with 86% of the general population presenting antibodies, but it usually remains latent, causing disease only when the immune system has been severely weakened.

T-Cells

A T-cell is a type of blood cell, which belong to a group of white blood cells (WBCs) called lymphocytes. WBCs protect the body from infection.

The main job of T-cells is to fight infection. There are a number of different types of T-cells that act in many ways to identify, directly attack and destroy infectious agents. Along with other WBCs, they play a major role in the immune system, which guards the body against infection. After they are produced in the bone marrow, these cells spend some time maturing and developing in an organ in the chest called the thymus (why they are named T-cells). After maturation, T-cells are present in the blood and in lymph nodes. T-cells may be affected in diseases of the immune system, like AIDS, and in cancers, like lymphoma.  The suppression of T-cell activity, one effect of Raptiva, according to the FDA, would likely result in increased user susceptibility to infection.  PML is a virus.

RAPTIVA RESOURCES

FDA Statement on Voluntary Withdrawal of Raptiva from U.S. Market
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm149561.htm

Psoriasis Overview (“Systemic Therapy for Psoriasis”; overview of condition, alternative treatments to Raptiva, current studies & research on the condition):
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/575315

Raptiva - Drug Reference Encyclopedia @ theodora.com (insanely technical):
http://www.theodora.com/drugs/raptiva_for_injection_genentech.html