Efficacy of infliximab in patients with moderate and severe psoriasis treated with infliximab (Remicade®)

Background: Psoriasis has a moderate or severe course in 25% of patients, requiring systemic therapy that is not always successful. Infliximab is a human-murine monoclonal anti tumor necrosis alpha (TNF- α) antibody. This mediator has a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Aim: To evaluate the use of infliximab in psoriatic patients resistant to conventional therapies. Material and Methods: An open prospective study including eight patients with extensive plaque or erythrodermic psoriasis. They were treated with infliximab 5 mg/kg/dose on weeks 0,2 and 6. Patients were evaluated every 2 weeks for a median lapse of 50.1 weeks. Physical examination, PASI scores (Psoriasis Area Severity Index) and a photographic control, were done in each visit. Results: All the patients responded in the first 10 weeks of follow-up. The mean reduction in PASI score was 86.6%. Six patients received fourth infusion of infliximab at 37.3 weeks, on average. The most common adverse events were pruritus and headache. Conclusions: This group of patients with extensive plaque or erythrodermic psoriasis resistant to conventional therapies, had a good response to infliximab