title: Efalizumab: Advancing psoriasis management with a novel, targeted T-cell modulator.
abstract: Recent research has demonstrated that psoriasis is not the result of a keratinocyte disorder, as previously believed. Although the exact etiology has not been clearly defined, much data has accumulated to elucidate the role of the immune system, particularly T lymphocytes, in the pathogenesis of the disease. With this knowledge, a number of biologic therapies that specifically target key pathogenic events have been developed. Efalizumab, a recombinant humanized monoclonal IgG1 antibody, is a T-cell modulator approved for patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis. This article reviews the role of T lymphocytes in psoriasis pathogenesis, the mechanism of efalizumab action, and the efficacy and safety data observed during the efalizumab clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Probity Medical Research, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. kapapp@probitymedical.com
authors.forename: Kim A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Papp
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D006801:Humans; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; C472181:efalizumab