1. Biologic agents in psoriasis.
- Author
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Lee, Michael R. and Cooper, Alan J.
- Subjects
- *
T cells , *CYTOKINES , *CELLULAR immunity , *ETANERCEPT , *INFLIXIMAB , *ANTI-inflammatory agents - Abstract
This paper reviews the new biologic agents that selectively block the immunologic steps implicated in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Four strategies have been targeted: reduction of the number of pathogenic T cells; inhibition of T-cell activation and migration; modulation of the immune system; and blockage of the activity of inflammatory cytokines. There are three classes: monoclonal antibodies, fusion proteins and recombinant cytokines or growth factors. The actions, efficacy and side-effect profile of the biologic agents, alefacept, efalizumab, etanercept and infliximab, are reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2006
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