title: Topical delivery for the treatment of psoriasis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Psoriasis is one of the most common human skin diseases. Topical therapy forms the cornerstone in the management of mild-to-moderate psoriasis. Topical therapies are also used as adjunctive to systemic therapy in moderate and severe forms of the disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this review, an overview of psoriasis pathogenesis, new topical medications for psoriasis, new targets and molecules, combination topical therapies and combination of topical and phototherapy is provided. Over the past decade several efficacious and acceptable treatment options have emerged from the age-old therapies. The development of sophisticated formulation options has led to an enhancement in the rate and extent of drug delivery across the skin, increasing therapeutic value and improving patient compliance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Readers will learn about monotherapy and combination topical products as well as new topical drug delivery technology to achieve optimal clinical outcomes. This review will highlight the need to generate more dermal pharmacokinetic data for better understanding of the impact of formulation change on skin pharmacokinetics to help design improved topical drug delivery systems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  New topical formulations have the potential to achieve better efficacy with improved safety profile.
authors.affiliation: Biopharmaceutics and Parenteral Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, PA 19486, USA. amitava_mitra@merck.com
authors.forename: Amitava
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mitra
authors.forename: Yunhui
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010789:Phototherapy; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012176:Retinoids / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D012176:Retinoids