Abstract
Three agents have recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis: alefacept, efalizumab, and etanercept. The field of dermatology has now entered a new era, joining other disciplines of medicine that have been using biologic agents for decades. These new therapies offer psoriatic patients the potential for safe and effective long-term management of this disease. This article reviews how an increased understanding of the pathophysiology of psoriasis led to the development of these products.
MeSH terms
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Alefacept
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use*
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Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
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Biological Products / therapeutic use*
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Etanercept
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Humans
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Immunoglobulin G / therapeutic use
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Psoriasis / physiopathology
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Psoriasis / therapy*
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Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / therapeutic use
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins / therapeutic use
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United States
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United States Food and Drug Administration
Substances
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
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Antibodies, Monoclonal
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
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Biological Products
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Immunoglobulin G
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Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins
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Alefacept
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Etanercept
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efalizumab