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Updated: Aug 13, 2026

The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis
Published on: July 11, 2013
Alefacept therapy produces remission for patients with chronic plaque psoriasis
1Department of Dermatology, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, 50 North Medical Drive, Suite 4B 454, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
Background:
Alefacept, human LFA-3/IgG1 fusion protein, is a novel biological agent currently being developed for the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis. Alefacept selectively reduces the memory-effector T cells that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of the disease; as a result, alefacept is classified as a therapy that induces remission (so-called 'remittive' therapy). In a previously published randomized, placebo-controlled phase II study of intravenous alefacept in 229 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis, clinical improvement was observed during dosing as well as in the postdosing follow-up period.
Objectives:
To assess the remission period following alefacept therapy.
Methods:
The time before re-treatment was required was measured in patients who were 'clear' or 'almost clear' of disease according to a physician global assessment at the end of the follow-up phase.
Results:
In these patients, responses were sustained for a median of 10 months, and for up to 18 months. No patient reported disease rebound after cessation of alefacept.
Conclusions:
Alefacept is a biological agent for the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis that provides disease-free intervals and time off drug therapy.
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