title: Novel biological immunotherapies for psoriasis.
abstract: Psoriasis is a common skin disease affecting 1 - 3% of the white population. Although its physiopathogenesis still remains poorly understood, recent data suggest a key role played by memory T cells in the genesis of skin and joint lesions. Recent developments in the understanding of cellular mechanisms underlying psoriasis and in biotechnologies have given rise to a generation of biological agents that have shown clinical efficacy in treating psoriasis. These agents, including chimeric antibodies, fusion proteins and recombinant interleukins, specifically target the activated memory T cells directly involved in the development of psoriasis lesions and inhibit their action either directly or through inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Compared with conventional systemic treatments, they show a better safety profile and allow durable remissions. Some of these agents were very recently marketed for the treatment of psoriasis and hopefully others will follow. These biologicals have opened a new era for the management of this disease; they are reviewed in this article, based on data available in the literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and INSERM U346, Ed Herriot Hospital (Pav. R), 69437 Lyon cx 03, France. kanitakis@lyon.inserm.fr
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kanitakis
authors.forename: Agripina Cristina
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Butnaru
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Claudy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines