title: Alefacept therapy produces remission for patients with chronic plaque psoriasis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alefacept, human LFA-3/IgG1 fusion protein, is a novel biological agent currently being developed for the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis. Alefacept selectively reduces the memory-effector T cells that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of the disease; as a result, alefacept is classified as a therapy that induces remission (so-called 'remittive' therapy). In a previously published randomized, placebo-controlled phase II study of intravenous alefacept in 229 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis, clinical improvement was observed during dosing as well as in the postdosing follow-up period.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the remission period following alefacept therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The time before re-treatment was required was measured in patients who were 'clear' or 'almost clear' of disease according to a physician global assessment at the end of the follow-up phase.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In these patients, responses were sustained for a median of 10 months, and for up to 18 months. No patient reported disease rebound after cessation of alefacept.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alefacept is a biological agent for the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis that provides disease-free intervals and time off drug therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, 50 North Medical Drive, Suite 4B 454, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Krueger
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Ellis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000077944:Alefacept; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012074:Remission Induction; D019233:Retreatment; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D000077944:Alefacept