Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026

The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis
Published on: July 11, 2013
Efalizumab for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis
1Department of Pharmacy, Clarian Health Partners/Purdue University, I-65 at 21st St., RM AG401, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5306, USA. jjordan1@clarian.org
Objective:
To review the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of efalizumab for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
Data Sources:
A MEDLINE search (1966-May 2005) using the key words hu1124, anti-CD11a, efalizumab, Raptiva, Xanelim, and psoriasis was conducted. References of identified articles were reviewed for additional citations.
Study Selection And Data Extraction:
Clinical trials evaluating the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of efalizumab for treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults were included in our review.
Data Synthesis:
Efalizumab's ability to inhibit the binding of CD11a, a subunit of leukocyte function-associated antigen type 1, to intracellular adhesion molecule 1 results in decreased T-cell activation and migration, 2 key steps in the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis. Results of clinical trials have demonstrated that efalizumab administered subcutaneously is a safe and effective treatment for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Efalizumab was well tolerated in trials, with the majority of adverse events arising with the first dose and decreasing with subsequent doses. The high cost of this agent and lack of head-to-head trials with other drugs will likely restrict its use to patients who have failed prior systemic therapy or phototherapy.
Conclusions:
Efalizumab is a safe and effective therapy for treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in patients who have failed prior systemic therapy or phototherapy.
Related Concept Videos
Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF
Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS
Two specific drugs used in the treatment are alosetron (Lotronex) and eluxadoline (Viberzi). Alosetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, works by slowing the movement of stools in the gut, reducing bowel...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids