Sustained effects of low dose infliximab in combination with methotrexate in the management of chronic recalcitrant psoriasis
Zargari, O.
Dermatology Online Journal 11(3): 21
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 1087-2108 PMID: 16409917 Document Number: 584812
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease whose pathogenesis is modulated by numerous genetic and immunologic factors. During the last decade, our understanding of the pathophysiology of psoriasis has significantly improved, and the disease is now accepted as a T-cell mediated process. This concept has dramatically altered the approach to the treatment of psoriasis. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is one of the key chemokines in the pathophysiology of psoriasis and its expression is notably increased in psoriatic plaques. Infliximab is a chimeric anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody that binds to both transmembrane and soluble TNF-alpha with high affinity, specificity, and avidity. Presented here is a severe recalcitrant case of psoriasis with sustained benefit from low-dose infliximab in combination with methotrexate.