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Biologic Agents for Psoriasis

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European Handbook of Dermatological Treatments

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Abstract

The choice of treatment for psoriasis depends on the severity of the disease, while the main target of almost all systemic treatments for psoriasis is the immune system. The introduction of biologics has brought an important therapeutic improvement for psoriasis. Biologics are a heterogeneous group of monoclonal antibodies, fusion proteins and recombinant cytokines that modify and regulate pivotal and specific mechanisms involved in psoriasis immunopathogenesis, showing high efficacy and a good safety profile. At present, there are ten biologics available for the treatment of psoriasis: four anti-tumor necrosis factor alfa (TNFα) agents (adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, etanercept, infliximab), one anti-IL12/23 monoclonal antibody (mAb), (ustekinumab), three anti-IL17 monoclonal antibodies (brodalumab, ixekizumab, secukinumab), and three anti-IL 23 (anti-p19) monoclonal antibodies (guselkumab, risankizumab, tildrakizumab).

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Notes

  1. 1.

    According to their indication, most of the biologic drugs (adalimumab, brodalumab, ixekizumab, guselkumab, risankizumab, secukinumab) are indicated as a first-line treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis in patients’ candidates of systemic treatment, without needing to fail traditional therapies and/or phototherapy previously. Nevertheless, guidelines may vary among different countries.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dermatologist and Venereologist University, Hospital “Andreas Syggros”, Athens, Greece

    Marina Papoutsaki

  2. University of Athens, Hospital “Andreas Syggros”, Athens, Greece

    Christina Antoniou

Authors
  1. Marina Papoutsaki
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  2. Christina Antoniou
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Andreas Syggros Hospital, Athens State University, Athens, Greece

    Andreas D. Katsambas

  2. Research Center CSRMR, Marconi University, Rome, Roma, Italy

    Torello M. Lotti

  3. Andreas Syggros Hospital, Athens State University, Athens, Greece

    Clio Dessinioti

  4. Dermatoloy Unit, Livorno Hospital, Livorno, Italy

    Angelo Massimiliano D'Erme

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Papoutsaki, M., Antoniou, C. (2023). Biologic Agents for Psoriasis. In: Katsambas, A.D., Lotti, T.M., Dessinioti, C., D'Erme, A.M. (eds) European Handbook of Dermatological Treatments. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15130-9_140

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15130-9_140

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-15129-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-15130-9

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