title: Infliximab for the treatment of psoriasis: clinical experience at the State University of New York at Buffalo.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Infliximab has shown promising results for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective study of all 52 patients treated with intravenous infliximab for severe psoriasis at a single practice site. These patients had recalcitrant plaque psoriasis (>33% body surface area), which was unresponsive to multiple conventional systemic therapies. Intravenous infliximab was administered at a dose of 5 mg/kg at 0, 2, 6, and 14 weeks and every 8 weeks thereafter. Patients were monitored for infections, infusion reactions, side effects, and response to therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-two patients (men = 32, women = 20) with a mean age of 47 (range, 22-76 years old) were included in this study. They were followed for a minimum of 4 months and a maximum of 33 months (median, 22 months). Patients received a mean total number of 12 infusions (range, 3-22). Forty-six of 52 patients (88%) had a clear or almost clear improvement based on the Physician's Global Assessment done by a single physician. Twelve patients (23%) required infliximab dose escalation to maintain control of their disease. Nine patients experienced infusion reactions. Thirteen patients experienced nonopportunistic infections; however, only one infection required temporary cessation of infliximab.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This was a retrospective study at a single practice site.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Infliximab was extremely effective and well tolerated in this group of patients with severe, recalcitrant psoriasis. Thirty-nine of 52 patients have continued receiving treatment for a median duration of 25 months with excellent disease control. Infliximab can provide control of extensive psoriasis with continued intermittent infusions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA. kalb@buffalo.edu
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Kalb
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gurske
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069285:Infliximab; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab; D008727:Methotrexate