Biologics and psoriasis today
Biologic agents have emerged as alternative treatment options for patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. These agents have shown good efficacy and are well tolerated.
Psoriasis is a chronic systemic immune-mediated inflammatory disease of unknown aetiology that manifests primarily in the skin. It affects approximately 2% of the Australian population and has a substantial negative impact on patients’ quality of life. Patients with localised limited disease can usually be managed satisfactorily with topical agents, whereas those with moderate-to-severe disease often require systemic treatment.1 Phototherapy and traditional systemic treatments, although often effective, can be associated with long-term cumulative toxicity. In addition, some patients have treatment-resistant disease, and patients themselves show high levels of dissatisfaction with standard approaches to treatment.2
Picture credit: © Carol & Mike Werner/Visuals Unlimited/SPL.