Clinical study aims to help people of color living with plaque psoriasis

The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson launched VISIBLE, a phase 3b study with a focus on plaque and scalp psoriasis in people of color, according to a press release.

Approximately 200 participants in the U.S. and Canada who self-identify as non-white will be included in the double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study evaluating safety and efficacy of Tremfya (guselkumab) as a treatment for either or both moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and moderate to severe scalp psoriasis in this population.

"There are racial and ethnic variations in the prevalence, quality-oflife impact and clinical presentation of psoriasis. Limited research data, gaps in medical education, and access barriers to advanced treatments may also contribute to healthcare disparities in populations with skin of color, so it is imperative that we have more diverse representation in clinical studies," Andrew Alexis, MD, MPH, lead study investigator, professor of clinical dermatology and vice-chair for diversity and inclusion at Weill Cornell Medicine said. "By collecting additional safety, efficacy, biomarker and disease progression data that are specific to people of color, we can put more information in the hands of healthcare professionals and their patients so that, together, they can make the best treatment decisions."