title: Case reports: practical experience with efalizumab in hand and foot psoriasis.
abstract: Psoriasis of the hands and feet is highly debilitating and difficult to treat. It may be of a plaque-or pustular-type, or a combination of the two. Efalizumab (Raptiva, Genentech Inc), a humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits critical T cell-mediated processes, is approved by the FDA for the treatment of adult patients with chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. We present the cases of 7 patients who suffered from extensive hand and foot psoriasis recalcitrant to treatment. Each patient was treated with 1 mg/kg/wk of efalizumab and responded rapidly to treatment with favorable results appearing within 1 to 4 months. Patients were able to resume previous work responsibilities and no longer suffered from difficulties with ambulation. Efalizumab was effective for the rapid treatment of these 7 patients with psoriasis of the hands and feet.
authors.affiliation: Mercer University, Macon, GA, USA. bedadoc@aol.com
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Lubomira
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Scherschun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D005260:Female; D005533:Foot Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D007155:Immunologic Factors; C472181:efalizumab