Targeting tumor necrosis factor-alpha as a potential therapy in inflammatory skin diseases.

Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor-a (TNFalpha) plays an important role in the initiation and persistence of inflammation in a variety of skin disorders. The availability of selective TNFalpha blockers has provided new therapeutic opportunities. TNFa inhibitors have been employed with success in treating psoriasis in controlled trials, although further studies are warranted to better define which subgroup of patients can benefit most from this treatment and modalities of combination therapy. In addition, an increasing number of case reports indicates that anti-TNFalpha agents are of value in the treatment of other skin diseases, such as pyoderma gangrenosum and Behcet's syndrome, and in the treatment of graft-versus-host disease.

• Authors: Giampiero Girolomoni, Saveria Pastore, Cristina Albanesi, Andrea Cavani
• Journal: Current opinion in investigational drugs (London, England : 2000) (Curr Opin Investig Drugs) Vol. 3 Issue 11 Pg. 1590-5 (Nov 2002) ISSN: 1472-4472 [Print] England
• PMID: 12476958 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Topics

• Animals
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (therapeutic use)
• Dermatitis (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Drug Delivery Systems (methods)
• Humans
• Inflammation (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (antagonists & inhibitors, metabolism)