A favourable benefit/risk ratio with efalizumab: a review of the clinical evidence.
Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis has traditionally been treated with agents that have toxicities associated with long-term use. Many patients therefore cannot be treated safely, conveniently or effectively with traditional therapies. Recent phase 3 clinical trials for efalizumab, a biological agent targeted specifically at the T-cell-based pathology of psoriasis, have demonstrated its short- and long-term efficacy and safety for the treatment of psoriasis. This article reviews results from 12-week, six-month, and three-year trials, focusing on the drug's safety, efficacy, and therapeutic response time, as well as the phenomenon of rebound in non-responding patients. Efalizumab emerges as an important addition to the dermatological pharmacopeia for the long-term treatment of psoriasis.
Poulin
Yves
Y
Laval University and Centre Dermatologique, Sainte Foy, QC. poulinyves@videotron.ca
Papp
Kim A
KA
Carey
Wayne
W
Gulliver
Wayne
W
Gupta
Aditya K
AK
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D001830:Body Surface Area; D018845:CD11 Antigens / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018845:CD11 Antigens; D007155:Immunologic Factors; C472181:efalizumab