Adalimumab for the treatment of severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
BACKGROUND
Psoriasis is a chronic, genetically determined, immunomediated, inflammatory skin disease affecting approximately 2 - 3% of the Caucasian population. Systemic treatment is required in moderate to severe plaque-type psoriasis forms or psoriatic arthritis. However, cumulative organ toxicity, lack of efficacy over time and other underlying diseases may limit long-term use of conventional treatments.


OBJECTIVE
TNF-alpha, serves a key role in potentiating inflammatory responses associated with both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Adalimumab is a fully human anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody; approved for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis and, more recently, for plaque-type psoriasis.


METHODS
This review reports the latest progresses made in the clinical use of 'biologic' drugs for psoriasis focusing on the clinical management of adalimumab in the treatment of plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.


RESULTS
Adalimumab was shown to be effective in treating both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis with a rapid onset of action and a good safety profile.
Papoutsaki
Marina
M
University of Rome Tor Vergata, Department of Dermatology, Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy. marinapapoutsaki@hotmail.com
Costanzo
Antonio
A
Chimenti
Maria-Sole
MS
Chimenti
Sergio
S
D000068879:Adalimumab; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D000068879:Adalimumab