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Cytokine blocking agents in dermatology

2002; Oxford University Press; Volume: 27; Issue: 7 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1046/j.1365-2230.2002.01149.x

1365-2230

Jason Williams, C.E.M. Griffiths,

Inflammasome and immune disorders

Cytokines are intercellular messengers that have an important role in the development and maintenance of cutaneous inflammation. The primacy of cytokines in eliciting cutaneous immune responses makes them a highly attractive target for new biological response modifiers. Targeting of cytokines is still in its infancy for therapy of skin disease. However, blocking tumour necrosis factor alpha by infliximab or etanercept has shown particular promise, especially in the management of psoriasis. Anecdotally, this approach is also effective for a variety of dermatological conditions including pyoderma gangrenosum and Behçet's syndrome. We review the current and prospective roles of cytokine blocking agents in the treatment of skin disease.