Remission of Psoriasis in a Patient with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with Sorafenib.

BACKGROUND Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated and angiogenesis-dependent disease. Activated keratinocytes in psoriatic lesions produce pro-angiogenic cytokines, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which binds to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and promotes cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Sorafenib (BAY 43-9006) is a molecular multikinase inhibitor of RAF kinase, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), VEGFR-1, -2, -3, platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)-β and c-Kit. This molecule inhibits tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis and it is currently approved for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). CASE REPORT We present the complete remission of resistant psoriasis in a hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected cirrhotic patient who was treated with sorafenib, for recurrent HCC. CONCLUSION Several targeted therapies have demonstrated efficacy against psoriasis. More research and well-designed studies, both in novel drugs and those already marketed for other indications, are needed to determine their value as potential novel therapies for psoriasis.