Long-term efficacy of biologics in the treatment of psoriasis: what do we really know?
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition that often requires life-long treatment. Conventional therapies have not fully met the needs of psoriatic patients, because of limited efficacy, adverse effects with cumulative use, and patient inconvenience. In the past decade, biologic immunotherapies have become accepted treatments for psoriasis as a result of perceived efficacy and safety on the part of patients and practitioners. However, most data on these medications come from relatively limited short-term trials. In this review, we will focus on the available long-term data on the efficacy of the biologic agents. We will emphasize the strengths and weakness of the available data of the biologic agents that are Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis (alefacept, efalizumab,* etanercept, infliximab, and adalimumab), with the inclusion of a newer agent currently under FDA evaluation (ustekinumab).
Alwawi
Eihab A
EA
NorthShore University HealthSystem, Feinberg School of Medicine, Stokie, Illinois 60077, USA.
Krulig
Eliana
E
Gordon
Kenneth B
KB
D001688:Biological Products / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001691:Biological Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017277:Drug Approval; D006801:Humans; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
D001688:Biological Products; D003879:Dermatologic Agents