Biologic Therapies for Psoriasis: A Game-Changer in Treatment
Published: Oct 04, 2024
Biologic therapies have revolutionized the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis. This article explores how these innovative drugs work and their impact on psoriasis management.
Contents
What Are Biologic Therapies?
Biologic therapies are drugs made from living organisms that target specific parts of the immune system involved in psoriasis. They include TNF-alpha inhibitors, interleukin inhibitors, and T-cell inhibitors. These medications can be highly effective in clearing psoriasis plaques and improving quality of life.
How Do Biologics Work?
Biologics work by blocking specific inflammatory pathways in the immune system that contribute to psoriasis. For example, some biologics target TNF-alpha, while others block interleukins like IL-17 or IL-23. By interrupting these pathways, biologics can reduce inflammation and slow down the rapid skin cell growth seen in psoriasis.
Benefits and Risks of Biologic Therapies
Biologics can provide rapid and significant skin clearance for many patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. They may also have fewer side effects than traditional systemic therapies. However, they can increase the risk of infections and require careful monitoring. Long-term safety data is still being gathered for newer biologics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most are given by injection or intravenous infusion.
Many patients see improvement within weeks to a few months.
No, but they can provide long-term disease control.
Yes, they're often used with topical treatments for optimal results.
Key Takeaways
Biologic therapies offer new hope for many with moderate to severe psoriasis, potentially providing clearer skin and improved quality of life.
Curious if biologic therapy might be right for you? Consult with Doctronic to learn more about your psoriasis treatment options.Related Articles
References
Menter A, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: Section 6. Guidelines of care for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: Case-based presentations and evidence-based conclusions. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011;65(1):137-74.
Sbidian E, et al. Systemic pharmacological treatments for chronic plaque psoriasis: a network meta-analysis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;1:CD011535.
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