Researchers say they found cause of skin disease

Texas researchers said Sunday they may have discovered what causes psoriasis, a common and irritating skin ailment, and said their findings may open the way to an effective treatment. They found that it takes a combination of a protein called STAT3 and an active immune system to cause psoriasis, which experts estimate affects as much as 2 percent of the population. Their finding, published in the journal Nature Medicine, suggests that psoriasis may start with an overenthusiastic attempt by the body to heal wounds. Psoriasis is a chronic condition in which patches of skin become inflamed and become itchy, red and flaky. There is no good treatment, although symptoms can be alleviated. The researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center made a skin cream that blocked the process that leads to psoriasis in mice. "We may have found an entirely new treatment option for psoriasis," said M.D. Anderson's John DiGiovanni, who led the study. REUTERS