Genetic basis of psoriasis vulgaris and its pharmacogenetic potential.

Psoriasis vulgaris is one of the most prevalent T cell-mediated inflammatory diseases in humans. It is multifactorial in origin and shows polygenic inheritance. Systemic immunosuppressive therapies play an important role in management of severe disease cases but are associated with variable response and toxicity. Within the last decade there have been significant advances in our understanding of the genetic basis of this complex disease and polymorphic candidate genes have been proposed. Susceptibility gene characterization together with an explosion in knowledge of its primary immune basis will further define disease pathways involved in psoriasis pathogenesis. This holds the promise of rational design of new therapeutic agents and pharmacogenetic testing to predict responders from non-responders and those at risk of toxicity.