Exacerbation of psoriasis under efalizumab therapy.

Psoriasis vulgaris flare during efalizumab therapy does not preclude future use: a case series

BACKGROUND Severe psoriasis vulgaris can be extremely difficult to treat in some patients, even with the newer biological therapies available today. CASE PRESENTATIONS We present two patients with severe chronic plaque psoriasis who received numerous systemic anti-psoriatic therapies with varied results. Both responded well to initial treatment with efalizumab (anti-CD11a), but then experienc...

Efalizumab-associated papular psoriasis.

BACKGROUND Efalizumab is a human anti-CD11a monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Some of the patients develop new papular lesions during treatment, which are predominantly located in the flexural regions. OBSERVATION Four patients with recalcitrant psoriasis undergoing treatment with efalizumab presented with erythematous, partly scal...

Psoriasis vulgaris flare during efalizumab therapy does not preclude future use : Case

Efalizumab for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis.

BACKGROUND Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis. Efalizumab, a T cell-targeted, recombinant human monoclonal antibody, is approved for the treatment of adult patients with chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. The effect of efalizumab therapy on PsA has not previously been investigated. OBJECTIVE This phase II randomized, double-blind, placeb...

Efalizumab-induced severe thrombocytopenia can be resolved

Efalizumab is a monoclonal a humanized recombinant IgG1 monoclonal antibody which targets the CD11a, the alpha-subunit of LFA-1 (lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1). It acts by blocking the T-lymphocyte pathogenetic mechanisms of psoriasis. Thrombocytopenia is an adverse event that occurs during therapy. Thrombocytopenia can be mild and can occur quite early during treatment, together wit...