A phase 2a, open-label pilot study of the galectin-3 inhibitor GR-MD-02 for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis

To the Editor: GR-MD-02 is a novel investigational drug that inhibits galectin-3, a member of the lectin protein family that binds to galactose containing glycoproteins and modulates inflammatory responses. Galectins have been shown to be linked to the expression of interleukins 23 and 17A, 2 cytokines that are targets of current psoriasis therapeutics.1,2 GR-MD-02, which is derived from US Pharmacopeia apple pectin, was previously used to treat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in a clinical trial3 in which 1 subject who coincidentally had psoriasis noted complete resolution of her skin lesions.

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