Abstract

LORENZETTI, MS  and  RESTIFO, EJ. Biologic therapy of psoriasis: Literature review. Rev. argent. dermatol. [online]. 2012, vol.93, n.2, pp.38-55. ISSN 1851-300X.

The treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis is difficult, due to the variable clinical response and the adverse events emerging from the conventional systemic treatment and it is generally unsatisfactory to numerous patients. Given that the currently available treatments have a suppressor and not a curative effect on the disease, the adequate signs and symptoms control requires a long-term continued treatment which, in the case of traditional systemic treatments, conveys a high risk of accumulative toxicity (hepatic-metabolic-hematic-renal failure and risk of neoplasia). Phototherapy itself is limited by the fact that, generally, the patient has to visit an institution three times a week; there can be possible 8-MOP toxicity and risk of neoplasia. Biological psoriasis treatments are targeted against lymphocytes surface proteins or cytokines which act on the psoriasis physiopathogenic mechanisms. A bibliographic-like research was conducted to acquire international experience in biological agents, specially focused on etanercept, infliximab and adalimumab. These proved to be effective and to have a relative safety with regards to infectious and neoplastic complications.

Keywords : Biological therapy; Etanercept; Infliximab; Adalimumab; Psoriasis.