The future of biological therapies

Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2010 Mar;29(1):63-6. doi: 10.1016/j.sder.2010.02.004.

Abstract

The last decade has witnessed a significant advance in the management of refractory moderate-to-severe psoriasis. This advance is the introduction of biological therapies to clinical practice. Three classes of biological therapies have been used. Of the first 2 classes to be introduced, the T-cell inhibitors and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitors, there have been differing fates with one of the T-cell inhibitors, efalizumab, being withdrawn because of a rare, unpredictable association with a usually fatal neurological condition, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. In contrast, anti-TNF treatments are now firmly established offering a high level of efficacy and a good safety record across several indications, including psoriasis. A new approach involves targeting the p40 subunit, common to interleukins 12 and 23. Ustekinumab, the first drug in this class, now offers a viable alternative to anti-TNFs in the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis. In this article, we discuss approaches that may be utilized to refine these existing therapies and examine future therapeutic targets for biological therapies.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Biological Products / therapeutic use*
  • Dermatologic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use*
  • Psoriasis / diagnosis
  • Psoriasis / drug therapy*
  • Psoriasis / etiology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Biological Products
  • Dermatologic Agents
  • Immunologic Factors