title: Biologic agents in psoriasis.
abstract: This paper reviews the new biologic agents that selectively block the immunologic steps implicated in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Four strategies have been targeted: reduction of the number of pathogenic T cells; inhibition of T-cell activation and migration; modulation of the immune system; and blockage of the activity of inflammatory cytokines. There are three classes: monoclonal antibodies, fusion proteins and recombinant cytokines or growth factors. The actions, efficacy and side-effect profile of the biologic agents, alefacept, efalizumab, etanercept and infliximab, are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Pacific Highway, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia. mick155@bigpond.net.au
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Alan J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Cooper
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016207:Cytokines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016207:Cytokines; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins