title: Biologic therapeutics in the treatment of psoriasis. Part 2: practical considerations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease principally mediated by activated T cells, which release proinflammatory cytokines with reactive epidermal changes in the skin, producing the characteristic lesions of psoriasis. New research into possible treatment options has been inspired by increased understanding of the pathophysiology of psoriasis and advances in immunology and molecular biology permitting the development of targeted, highly active biologic agents.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this article is to provide practical guidelines for integration of these agents in the management of psoriasis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS. richard.langley@dal.ca
authors.forename: Richard G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Langley
authors.forename: Aditya K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Andrea M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cherman
authors.forename: Kimberley A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Inniss
mesh_terms: D001691:Biological Therapy; D003663:Decision Trees; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*