title: The evolving role of biologics in the treatment of pediatric psoriasis.
abstract: The exact role of biologics in the treatment of pediatric psoriasis remains undefined but is evolving. Biologics are an attractive option for use in children in part because they offer more convenient dosing regimens and less frequent laboratory monitoring than traditional systemic agents. Further, because their action is targeted, they theoretically lack many of the potential end-organ toxicities of traditional agents. However, compared to adult psoriasis populations, there is a relative lack of long-term safety data specific to the pediatric psoriasis population. Thus, the clear advantages of using biologic agents must be balanced with a measure of caution. This article will provide a summary of the cumulative pediatric safety and efficacy data for the anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) agents and interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 (IL12/23) pathway inhibitor and suggestions for a rational clinical approach to their use in children with psoriasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Luu
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Cordoro
mesh_terms: D000068879:Adalimumab; D000293:Adolescent; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000068800:Etanercept; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007223:Infant; D000069285:Infliximab; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000069549:Ustekinumab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab; D000069549:Ustekinumab; D000068879:Adalimumab; D000068800:Etanercept