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Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia 2005 October;140(5):557-60

Copyright © 2005 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Biological agents in the treatment of psoriasis

Rausin A., Henno A., de la Brassinne M.

Department of Dermatology, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium

Psoriasis is a disease affecting about 2% of the world caucasian population. Progress in the understanding of psoriasis as a T-cell mediated disease and advances in molecular biology and technology has led to the development of new classes of therapeutic agents. These so-called biologics are in form of fusions proteins, monoclonal antibodies, cytokines and are designed to block specific molecular steps important in the pathogenesis of psoriasis (reducing the number of pathogenic T-cells, blocking their migration to the skin, antagonizing the effector cytokines they secrete). This article will discuss the most promising and advanced agents along with their interactions on cellular and humoral systems in psoriasis.