Psoriasis: targeting therapy towards the inflammatory cascade

Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin and joints that typically follows a relapsing/remitting disease course. Whereas psoriasis is primarily a T-cell-mediated disease, intrinsic alterations in epidermal keratinocytes also play an important role. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) has been identified as an important cytokine in the inflammatory cascade of psoriasis. The importance of TNFalpha is further underlined by the therapeutic efficacy of compounds that interfere with TNFalpha function, such as biological agents.