Understanding the new clinical landscape for psoriasis: a comparative review of biologics.
BACKGROUND
Encouraging results from clinical trials suggest that biologic therapies are effective treatments for psoriasis.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to evaluate the scientific evidence for the efficacy and safety of biologic drugs for psoriasis.


METHODS
The studies reviewed include data on the biologies alefacept, efalizumab, etanercept, and infliximab. This article reviews all data published in the dermatology literature listed in the MEDLINE database, as well as data presented as abstracts and posters at dermatology society meetings, including the annual meetings of the American Academy of Dermatology.


RESULTS
The majority of the studies used an improvement from baseline of 75% or more in the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI 75) as the primary measure of efficacy.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, biologics represent an important addition to the psoriatic therapies and have a great impact on the disease course and life quality of those afflicted with psoriasis.
Sauder
Daniel N
DN
Department of Dermatology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205-0900, USA. dsauder@jhmi.edu
Mamelak
Adam J
AJ
D000077944:Alefacept; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D001691:Biological Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000068800:Etanercept; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069285:Infliximab; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D000069285:Infliximab; D000077944:Alefacept; D000068800:Etanercept; C472181:efalizumab