Skip to main content
Log in

Adverse Effects of Biological Agents in the Treatment of Psoriasis

  • Review Article
  • Published:
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists are generally well tolerated, but carry the risk of side effects. In patients with psoriasis, the potential risks with anti-TNF agents may be overestimated because the most commonly reported adverse events are based on studies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease. Whereas patients with psoriasis typically receive monotherapy, these patients are treated with biological-based combination therapies. Furthermore, patients with psoriasis have distinctive and different comorbidities, which could play a role in the development of different adverse events. However, the potential risks of the use of biological agents should always be taken into consideration

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Menter A, Gottlieb A, Feldman SR, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: Section 1. Overview of psoriasis and guidelines of care for the treatment of psoriasis with biologics. J Am Acad Dermatol 2008; 58: 826–50

    Google Scholar 

  2. Callen JP. Complications and adverse reactions in the use of newer biologic agents. Semin Cutan Med Surg 2007; 26: 6–14

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Schmitt J, Zhang Z, Wozel G, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of biologic and nonbiologic systemic treatments for moderate-to-severe psoriasis: metaanalysis of randomized controlled trials. Br J Dermatol 2008; 159: 513–26

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Roe E, Puig L, Corella F, et al. Cutaneous adverse effects of biological therapies for psoriasis. Eur J Dermatol 2008; 18: 693–9

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Thielen AM, Kuenzli S, Saurat JH. Cutaneous adverse events of biological therapy for psoriasis: review of the literature. Dermatology 2005; 211: 209–17

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Wollina U, Hansel G, Koch A, et al. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitorinduced psoriasis or psoriasiform exanthemata: first 120 cases from the literature including a series of six new patients. Am J Clin Dermatol 2008; 9: 1–14

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Kop EN, Korver JE, Van Ruysevelt D, et al. Erythroderma in two patients with psoriasis upon discontinuation of efalizumab treatment. J Dermatol Treat 2009; 20: 67–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Benucci M, Manfredi M, Demoly P, et al. Injection site reactions to TNF-alpha blocking agents with positive skin tests. Allergy 2008; 63: 138–9

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Paltiel M, Gober LM, Deng A, et al. Immediate type I hypersensitivity response implicated in worsening injection site reactions to adalimumab. Arch Dermatol 2008; 144: 1190–4

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Lecluse LL, Piskin G, Mekkes JR, et al. Review and expert opinion on prevention and treatment of infliximab-related infusion reactions. Br J Dermatol 2008; 159: 527–36

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. DG News, December 31, 2008 [on line]

  12. Ramos-Casals M, Brito-Zeron P, Munoz S, et al. Autoimmune diseases induced by TNF-targeted therapies: analysis of 233 cases. Medicine (Baltimore) 2007; 86: 242–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Fautrel B, Foltz V, Frances C, et al. Regression of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis treated with a biologic tumor necrosis factor alpha-blocking agent: comment on the article by Pisetsky and the letter from Aringer et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2002; 46: 1408–9

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Victor F, Menon K, Latkowski JA, et al. Efalizumab-associated Guillain—Barre syndrome. Arch Dermatol 2008; 144: 1396–7

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Hostetler SG, Zirwas M, Bechtel MA. Efalizumab-associated thrombocytopenia. J Am Acad Dermatol 2007; 57: 707–10

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Wong M, Ziring D, Korin Y, et al. TNFalpha blockade in human diseases: mechanisms and future directions. Clin Immunol 2008; 126: 121–36

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Editorial assistance for the preparation of this manuscript was provided by Stephanie Blick of inScience Communications. This assistance was funded by Pfizer. The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Franco Rongioletti.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rongioletti, F., Burlando, M. & Parodi, A. Adverse Effects of Biological Agents in the Treatment of Psoriasis. AM J Clin Dermatol 11 (Suppl 1), 35–37 (2010). https://doi.org/10.2165/1153420-S0-000000000-00000

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/1153420-S0-000000000-00000

Keywords

Navigation