Biologic Treatment of 4 HIV-Positive Patients: A Case Series and Literature Review.

Abstract

Report four cases of HIV-positive patients managed on biologic therapy and summarize the cases of psoriasis in HIV-positive patients managed on biologic therapy that have been published in dermatologic literature to date. We searched PubMed and Embase databases using the terms HIV and psoriasis or HIV and psoriatic arthritis combined with one of the eleven biologics currently approved for treating psoriasis. We identified 48 cases of anti-psoriasis biologic therapy (including adalimumab, infliximab, etanercept, ustekinumab, and guselkumab) in HIV-positive patients and added four. While data is limited, the evidence available suggests biologic agents are safe and efficacious in moderate-to-severe psoriasis and may even have a favorable effect on CD4 and HIV viral counts when used with concomitant HAART. Further research would be helpful to establish practical guidelines for the use of anti-psoriasis biologic therapy in the HIV population, including that of newer agents.