A review of the use of infliximab to manage cutaneous dermatoses.

BACKGROUND

Infliximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that binds specifically to human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), decreasing the effect of the cytokine in inflammatory diseases.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to review the efficacy and safety of infliximab in the treatment of dermatological diseases.

METHODS

A MEDLINE search (1966-January 2003), using the keyword "infliximab" was performed to find relevant articles pertaining to the use of infliximab in dermatology.

RESULTS

Infliximab has been used in the following dermatological diseases: psoriasis, Behcet's disease, graft versus host disease, hidradenitis suppurativa, panniculitis, pyoderma gangrenosum, SAPHO (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis and osteitis) syndrome, sarcoidosis, subcorneal pustular dermatosis, Sweet's syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and Wegener's granulomatosis. There is a generally good safety profile for infliximab, which is similar to that when it is used to treat Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

CONCLUSION

Although not approved for use in dermatological diseases, there have been numerous reports of the efficacy of infliximab in cutaneous inflammatory diseases. The most promise lies in those diseases that have increased amounts of TNF-alpha in the cutaneous lesions, such as psoriasis.