The choice of therapeutic agents for patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis has expanded
significantly in the past decade. With new understanding of the immunologic basis
of psoriasis, multiple new potential targets for therapy have been identified. It is likely that
a series of new medications to focus on the newly identified pathways is on the horizon. The
first pathway targeted by new medications focuses on the p40 subunit that is shared by
interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23. Two human anti-p40 antibodies have been used therapeutically
in psoriasis to date, ustekinumab (CNTO-1275, Stelara, Centocor, Horsham, PA) and
briakinumab (ABT-874, Abbott, Abbott Park, IL). Ustekinumab was recently approved by the
United States Food and Drug Administration, making it the first medication approved in the
United States to work by this pathway while briakinumab is currently in phase III clinical
trials.
Semin Cutan Med Surg 29:48-52 © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
The choice of therapeutic agents for patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis has expanded
significantly in the past decade. With new understanding of the immunologic basis
of psoriasis, multiple new potential targets for therapy have been identified. It is likely that
a series of new medications to focus on the newly identified pathways is on the horizon. The
first pathway targeted by new medications focuses on the p40 subunit that is shared by
interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23. Two human anti-p40 antibodies have been used therapeutically
in psoriasis to date, ustekinumab (CNTO-1275, Stelara, Centocor, Horsham, PA) and
briakinumab (ABT-874, Abbott, Abbott Park, IL). Ustekinumab was recently approved by the
United States Food and Drug Administration, making it the first medication approved in the
United States to work by this pathway while briakinumab is currently in phase III clinical
trials.
Semin Cutan Med Surg 29:48-52 © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.