Biological agents in the treatment of vulgar psoriasis

Abstract:

The advancements in our understanding of immunopathogenesis of psoriasis and development biotechnological methods over the last decades have lead to the development of biological agents for the treatment of psoriasis. Biological agents are antibodies and fusion proteins synthesised using recombinant DNA technology. They block specific molecular targets and are used in the treatment of moderate to severe forms of chronic plaque-psoriasis in patients unresponsive to at least two different systemic therapies, which are not tolerated or contraindicated, including PUVA therapy, retinoids, cyclosporine and methotrexate. Before the treatment with biological agents, active and latent tuberculosis, other severe infectious diseases, demyelinating disease, malignant disease, congestive heart failure and pregnancy should be excluded. In the therapy of psoriasis, two types of biological agents are used: tumour-necrosis factor alpha antagonists (adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab) and interleukine 12/23 antagonist (ustekinumab). 

Key words:
biological agents; cytokines; psoriasis