Biological response modifiers and their potential use in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases.
In recent years, a more detailed understanding of the pathogenesis of several inflammatory skin diseases, combined with the developments within biotechnology, has made it possible to design more selective response modifiers. Biological response modifiers hold the potential for greater effectiveness and fewer side-effects than the current systemic therapies now used for severe psoriasis, contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis. In the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases, the immune system plays a pivotal role, and this is where biological response modifiers such as monoclonal antibodies, recombinant cytokines, or fusion proteins may be effective. Several biological response modifiers have already shown positive results in phase II/III clinical trials in skin diseases, and many new biological response modifiers are in progress.
Villadsen
Louise S
LS
Department of Dermatology, University of Copenhagen, Gentofte Hospital, Hellerup, Denmark. lovil@gentoftehosp.kbhamt.dk
Skov
Lone
L
Baadsgaard
Ole
O
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016207:Cytokines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016207:Cytokines; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins