Psoriasis: mechanisms and entry points for possible therapeutic interventions.

Abstract

Psoriasis is a heterogeneous disorder not only in regard to its variability in clinical expression and age at onset, but also in the degree to which genetic and immunological factors such as T cells and cytokines contribute. A Psoriasis Treatment Index' is proposed according to clinical severity and hence suggested treatment regimens. Recent and new treatments include FK 506, cyclosporin, a fusion protein of human interleukin 2 with fragments of diphtheria toxin, topical tumour necrosis factor inhibitors, topical retinoids, T cell receptor peptide vaccines and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) antisense oligonucleotides.