[Infliximab. Role in the treatment of psoriasis].

Psoriasis is one of the immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), in whose pathogenesis Th1-mediated immune responses are considered crucial. Infliximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody directed against the Th1-cytokine TNF-alpha that has already been approved for the therapy of psoriatic arthritis (in combination with methotrexate). In clinical studies, infliximab has proved safe and effective in treating plaque-type psoriasis. In 80% of treated patients, the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) decreased after 10 weeks by > or =75%. Infliximab is expected to be approved as second-line therapy in Germany this year for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris.