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Psoriasis treatment Biologics Most medicines are created by combining chemicals. In contrast, "biologics" are made from human or animal proteins. Biologics have been in use for more than 100 years. Vaccines and insulin are considered biologics because they are derived from living sources. Only recently, however, have biologics that are specifically targeted toward psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis begun to emerge as potentially promising new treatment options. Understanding biologics About biologics: Information about biologics and how they are different from other medications. How biologics work: Explains how biologics "go after" overactive immune cells in the body. Taking biologics: Who can take biologics, how well they work, key features, cost and side effects. Biologics approved for psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis Amevive: The first biologic medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of psoriasis; given by injection in a doctor's office once per week for 12 weeks. Enbrel: FDA-approved for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Patients give themselves an injection under the skin once or twice per week. Humira: FDA-approved for treating psoriatic arthritis; being studied for psoriasis. Patients give themselves an injection under the skin every other week. Raptiva: Approved by the FDA for the treatment of psoriasis. Patients give themselves an injection under the skin once per week. Remicade: FDA-approved for treating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Given by infusion in a doctor's office. |
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Biologic treatments About biologics What are biologics? Most medicines are created by combining chemicals. In contrast, "biologics" are made from human or animal proteins. Biologics have been in use for more than 100 years. Vaccines and insulin are considered biologics because they are derived from living sources. Only recently, however, have biologics that are specifically targeted toward psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis begun to emerge as potentially promising new treatment options. Biologics that are approved or are in late-stage development for treating moderate to severe psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis (as of June 2006) include Amevive, Enbrel, Humira, Raptiva and Remicade. As other biologics are approved for these diseases, they will be added to this page. Check the research pipeline for the latest updates on treatment research and development. Why are biologics different? Biologics are different from other medications for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis because they are designed to block both diseases early in their development—in the immune system. Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis develop when certain immune system cells are triggered and become overactive. These overactive cells set off a series of events in the body, eventually causing psoriasis to develop on the skin. For some, arthritis symptoms develop in the joints. Biologics work by blocking the action of certain immune cells that play a role in the diseases. Ultimately, almost all treatments that work for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis impact or target the immune system in some way. This is true for phototherapy and systemic medications such as methotrexate and cyclosporine. The difference is that their impact on the immune system and body is broad, and may include the risk of potentially serious side effects on other organs. Biologics, on the other hand, are more targeted and spare the body these broad side effects. They are a potentially safer option for people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, although their long-term effects are not yet known. |
Biologic treatments How biologics work Biologics are designed to treat psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis by targeting or "going after" overactive immune cells in the body. Some biologics target a type of immune cell called a T cell, while others target the chemical messengers released by activated T cells. T cells are the so-called "generals" of the immune system because they normally recognize bacteria and viruses and coordinate the immune response to eliminate these foreign invaders. In psoriasis, however, certain T cells are mistakenly activated and migrate to the skin. Once in the skin, they begin to act as if they are fighting an infection or healing a wound, which sets off a chain of events that leads to the rapid growth of skin cells, causing lesions to form. Certain biologic medications treat psoriasis by preventing the activation and/or migration of T cells; by reducing the number of psoriasis-involved T cells in the body; or both. Under normal conditions, TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) helps fight infections and communicates messages between cells. In people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, TNF-alpha is produced in excess amounts by activated T cells. The messages communicated by TNF-alpha can lead to the rapid growth of skin cells found in psoriasis, or to the joint pain, stiffness and other symptoms associated with psoriatic arthritis. Several biologic medications work by binding to TNF-alpha and preventing it from communicating with cells. |
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