title: Immunobiologics in the treatment of psoriasis.
abstract: The pathogenesis of various inflammatory cutaneous diseases such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and mycosis fungoides relies greatly on the abnormal function of T cells. Fundamental knowledge of the role of T cells in the cutaneous immune response has led to the development and production of biologic molecules designed to block T cell function at various steps, specifically activation (i.e. alefacept, efalizumab), trafficking into inflamed skin (i.e. efalizumab) and effector function under cytokine control (i.e. etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab, and anti-IL-12 antibody). We review the immune abnormalities and the role of T cells in psoriasis, and the recent biologic therapies, which share the common mission to hinder T cell activity in inflammatory diseases. An advantage from the preciseness of these biologic therapies is the potential limit of non-specific and potentially devastating organ toxicity, which commonly plagues other systemic therapies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Hospital, One Ford Place 4-D, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
authors.forename: Benjamin F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.forename: Henry K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D000077944:Alefacept; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068800:Etanercept; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D000077944:Alefacept; D000068800:Etanercept