title: [Systemic psoriasis therapy - the next step. Adalimumab].
abstract: Adalimumab is the first fully human monoclonal antibody against TNFalpha and has been approved for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. Its efficacy for both joint and skin involvement has been confirmed in clinical trials. The recommended dose is 40 mg administered every other week subcutaneously. It may be combined with methotrexate and all topical psoriasis treatment modalities. User-friendly administration devices make self-injection possible. Patients should be evaluated for active/latent tuberculosis and serious infections prior to initiation of therapy. Adalimumab rapidly reduces joint symptoms within a few days. Adalimumab is used for the management of adult psoriatic arthritis patients who have had an inadequate response to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Adalimumab is yet another biological for the treatment of psoriasis. Since the TNFalpha antagonists can be switched if one is ineffective, this agent broadens the therapeutic spectrum.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus an der Technischen Universität Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307 Dresden, Deutschland. Anja.Thuselt@uniklinikum-dresden.de
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wozel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sticherling
mesh_terms: D000068879:Adalimumab; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000639:trends*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000639:trends
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D000068879:Adalimumab