title: Management of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (part I): clinical update on antitumor necrosis factor agents.
abstract: Psoriasis is an immunologic disorder mediated by T cells and proinflammatory cytokines. Novel biologic therapies, targeted at key pathogenic steps, have been developed and provide efficacy without the potential end-organ toxicity induced by traditional therapies. The biologic therapies currently approved for treatment of psoriasis are classified into 2 categories, as defined by their mechanism of action: inhibition of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) (etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab) and modulation of pathogenic activated T cells (alefacept, efalizumab). This review has been prepared in 2 parts: Part 1 focuses on anti-TNF agents and includes new data that have become available through increased clinical experience and use in eligible patients. Part 2 will present new data on T-cell modulators, new molecules in development, and considerations for optimal therapeutic selection for treatment of patients with psoriasis (Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, March 2009).
authors.affiliation: Tufts Medical Center, Department of Dermatology, Boston, Massachusetts; SkinCare Physicians, Chestnut Hill, MA 02111, USA. jsobell@tufts-nemc.org
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sobell
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Kalb
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Weinberg
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha