This volume provides an in-depth overview of the current state of psoriasis and its management. It reviews the clinical manifestations of psoriasis as well as psoriatic arthritis and emphasizes the evolving paradigm of therapy. Coverage includes topical and ultraviolet therapies as well as traditional systemic therapy. In addition, a major focus of the volume is on biologic therapies. New agents in development are also reviewed.
Over the last decade, biologic agents have transformed the management of chronic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and psoriasis. Understanding the complex cytokine network and their roles in these disorders has been pivotal for advancing targeted biologic therapies. TNF-? is particularly significant in the pathogenesis of various chronic inflammatory diseases, with elevated levels observed in conditions such as Crohn’s disease, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis, indicating its involvement in their development. While TNF-? is essential for activating immune responses, its persistent production can lead to chronic inflammation and tissue damage. This volume offers a comprehensive overview of the development, pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of current TNF-? inhibitors, including etanercept, infliximab, and adalimumab. The first three chapters establish a foundation on TNF-? and its inhibition, starting with an introduction to TNF and its pathophysiology in Chapter 1. Chapter 2 chronicles the history of TNF inhibitor development, while Chapter 3 delves into the pharmacology of these agents.