Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors as therapeutic choice in psoriasis

Psoriasis has been for a long time a distressing skin disease difficult to treat. Several topical and systemic drugs have been used successfully in the treatment but the most active drugs are also the most difficult to manage in a long term treatment. Discovering the pathogenesis of this skin disorder has suggested that anti tumor necrosis factors agents could be an alternative treatment. Up to now several manuscripts show data supporting the idea that anti TNF are safe and effective more than other drugs. On the experience of dermatologists using this drug in a large number of patients TNF inhibitors are very effective drugs with a relatively safe management. At the moment several drug companies are developing a second generation of biologic drugs with different targets. This review point out the actual knowledge about anti TNF drugs and their activities on psoriasis both clinically and biologically. © 2009 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.