Striking and rapid improvement of plaque psoriasis with infliximab. A report of two cases.
Infliximab, an anti-tumor-necrosis-factor-alpha antibody, is a new line of therapy for psoriasis on the basis that tumor necrosis factor alpha antibody plays an important role in the pathogenesis of this disease. We report 2 patients with severe active psoriatic arthritis despite treatment with methotrexate. Both patients were started on infliximab infusion at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight for their active psoriatic arthritis to be given according to a specific treatment protocol. Dramatic improvement of their psoriatic skin lesions was noted concomitantly with improvement in their arthritis symptoms shortly after starting the treatment program. No side effects were noted by the patients during their treatment course.
Al-Salem
Iqbal Hamad
IH
Rheumatology Unit, Medical Department, Amiri Hospital, Kuwait, Kuwait. driqbalham@hotmail.com
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D000069285:Infliximab