Abstract
The implication of an immunologic phenomena in the pathogenesis of psoriasis has led to research for new treatment options over the past few years [1]. The result has been the birth of biologic therapies, those drugs targeting the activity of T lymphocytes and cytokines responsible for the inflammatory nature of this disease. Singri et al. [2] defined four strategies that clarify the mechanism of action for the various biologic agents: (1) reduction of pathogenic T cells, (2) inhibition of T cell activation, (3) immune deviation (‘deviation’ of a TH1 immune response toward a greater TH2-type response through the involvement of these TH2-type cytokines), and (4) blocking the activity of inflammatory cytokines [2]. We have previously reviewed the utility of biologic agents for psoriasis [3]. In this article, we present an update on the progress of the tumor necrosis factor inhibitors infliximab, etanercept, and adalimumab (all strategy 4) as well as the T cell-targeted therapies efalizumab (strategy 2) and alefacept (strategy 1) (Tab. 1). Clinical data for these agents, including the most recent Phase II and/or III study results will be discussed, as well as the most recent safety data (Tab. 2).
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Weinberg, J.M. (2008). Biologic therapy for psoriasis: an overview of infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, efalizumab, and alefacept. In: Weinberg, J.M. (eds) Treatment of Psoriasis. Milestones in Drug Therapy. Birkhäuser Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7643-7724-3_9
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