Grant: Project Grant

Psoriasis is a major health problem affecting up to 3 % of the population. The disease is characterized by an abnormally excessive and rapid growth of the epidermal layer of the skin. Skin cells are replaced every 3 to 5 days in psoriasis rather than the usual 28 to 30 days. Psoriasis affects both sexes, can arise at any age and to any ethnic groups. In addition, nearly 30% of the psoriatic patients will develop a debilitating arthritis form of the disease. There is no cure currently available for psoriasis, but they are treatments such as topical application of corticosteroids and vitamin D analogues that can help to control the symptoms. However, when these treatments are inefficient, UV radiations are then recommended or the patients are treated with a compound named methotrexate that is also used against leukemias and rheumatoid arthritis. However, methotrexate and other drugs referred to as "biologics" are toxic and must be administered under very close medical attention. In such a context, new efficient and less toxic drugs are dearly required to better control the symptoms of the disease. To this end, we develop new molecules that exhibit efficient activity on in vitro models by controlling the proliferation of the cells responsible for psoriasis. In addition, these drugs are not toxic. The main objective of our research program is to prepare new compounds suitable for clinical trials that will improve the quality of life of psoriatic patients. Toward this goal, our project will harness the power of computer sciences, molecular pharmacology and chemistry to tailor drugs that are more potent, more selective and less toxic.