Adalimumab for the treatment of severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic, genetically determined, immunomediated, inflammatory skin disease affecting similar to 2 - 3% of the Caucasian population. Systemic treatment is required in moderate to severe plaque-type psoriasis forms or psoriatic arthritis. However, cumulative organ toxicity, lack of efficacy overtime and other underlying diseases may limit long-term use of conventional treatments. Objectives: TNF-alpha, serves a key role in potentiating inflammatory responses associated with both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Adalimumab is a fully human anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody; approved for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis and, more recently, for plaque-type psoriasis. Methods: This review reports the latest progresses made in the clinical use of 'biologic' drugs for psoriasis focusing on the clinical management of adalimumab in the treatment of plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Results: Adalimumab was shown to be effective in treating both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis with a rapid onset of action and a good safety profile.