Overview of biologic agents in medicine and dermatology

Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2005 Mar;24(1):2-9. doi: 10.1016/j.sder.2005.01.007.

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.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alefacept
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Biological Products / therapeutic use*
  • Etanercept
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / therapeutic use
  • Psoriasis / physiopathology
  • Psoriasis / therapy*
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / therapeutic use
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / therapeutic use
  • United States
  • United States Food and Drug Administration

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Biological Products
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Alefacept
  • Etanercept
  • efalizumab