Infliximab in the Treatment of Psoriasis

Advances in psoriasis therapy have beenmade over the last two decades based on a greater understanding of the pathogenesis of psoriasis. In particular, we now know that psoriasis shares a common pathophysiology with many disorders involving a hyperactive inflammatory response, and, like other immune-mediated inflammatory disorders (IMIDs), psoriasis has a genetic component that predisposes certain people or families to the disease. Based on this IMID principle, a triggering event causes the immune system to respond inappropriately, inducing hyperproliferation of epidermal cells. A novel approach to treating psoriasis blocks crucial steps in the underlying immune system process that result in the dermatological symptoms associated with this immune-mediated disorder.