How do targeted immune modulators compare in treating psoriasis?
Targeted immune modulators are used to treat both the skin disorder (plaque psoriasis) and joint disorders (psoriatic arthritis) caused by psoriasis. Adalimumab, etanercept, and infliximab have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis, and fair evidence supports that these drugs are generally superior to placebo in the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis. In addition, alefacept combined with methotrexate may be more efficacious than methotrexate alone. For the treatment of plaque psoriasis, the following drugs have all been shown to be superior to placebo: alefacept, etanercept, efalizumab, and infliximab. Although the responses to treatment vary substantially, the data are insufficient to determine whether one drug is more effective than another.
