title: Cytokine blocking agents in dermatology.
abstract: Cytokines are intercellular messengers that have an important role in the development and maintenance of cutaneous inflammation. The primacy of cytokines in eliciting cutaneous immune responses makes them a highly attractive target for new biological response modifiers. Targeting of cytokines is still in its infancy for therapy of skin disease. However, blocking tumour necrosis factor alpha by infliximab or etanercept has shown particular promise, especially in the management of psoriasis. Anecdotally, this approach is also effective for a variety of dermatological conditions including pyoderma gangrenosum and Behçet's syndrome. We review the current and prospective roles of cytokine blocking agents in the treatment of skin disease.
authors.affiliation: The Dermatology Centre, University of Manchester, Hope Hospital, Salford, Manchester, UK. jasondwilliams@hotmail.com
authors.forename: J D L
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: C E M
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Griffiths
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068800:Etanercept; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069285:Infliximab; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016207:Cytokines; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D000069285:Infliximab; D000068800:Etanercept