title: Combining traditional agents and biologics for the treatment of psoriasis.
abstract: Psoriasis patients deserve long-term control of their disease with optimal safety. Traditional agents (methotrexate, cyclosporine, retinoids, and photochemotherapy [PUVS]), although providing excellent short-term control, may produce acute or chronic toxicities, thus limiting their usage. Dermatologists are well versed in combination and rotational therapies for psoriasis, using these and other agents. With the advent of biologic therapies (three currently approved, and others pending), the potential for safer long-term psoriasis control is being realized. A review of the literature, plus our personal experience in using combinations of traditional agents and biologics, is presented.
authors.affiliation: Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer Clay
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Cather
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Menter
mesh_terms: D017255:Acitretin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068879:Adalimumab; D000077944:Alefacept; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D001688:Biological Products / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D000068800:Etanercept; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069285:Infliximab; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011701:PUVA Therapy; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy*; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D001688:Biological Products; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D016572:Cyclosporine; D000069285:Infliximab; D000077944:Alefacept; D000068879:Adalimumab; D017255:Acitretin; D000068800:Etanercept; C472181:efalizumab; D008727:Methotrexate