Infliximab treatment for psoriasis in 120 patients on therapy for a minimum of one year: a review

Infliximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody, which acts by binding to both the soluble and membrane-bound tumor necrosis factor-?. In clinical practice, it is used as either monotherapy or in combination with other systemic therapies, particularly methotrexate. This study reviews clinical response and adverse events in 120 psoriasis patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis who have received infliximab for a minimum of one year. The medical records of 120 infliximab-treated psoriasis patients at our referral psoriasis clinic in Dallas between 2002-2008 were reviewed for response rates, side effects and concomitant therapies. Of 120 charts reviewed, 112 (93%) patients had plaque type psoriasis, six (5%) had recalcitrant palmoplantar disease and two (1.6%) had severe acropustulosis of Hallopeau. Eighty-four (70%) patients had symptomatic psoriatic arthritis. The mean follow-up time was 2.2±1.1 years. One hundred and nine (91%) of the 120 patients had clearance of their psoriasis (response of more than 90% of initial BSA) at a median time of 12 weeks. Concomitant systemic treatments, primarily methotrexate, were given to 62 (52%) patients. Nineteen patients (16%) discontinued infliximab in the post-one-year treatment period for a variety of reasons, primarily failure to maintain adequate response. One hundred and four (87%) of patients required more than the standard dose of 5 mg/kg every eight weeks to maintain clearance. Infliximab either as monotherapy or in combination with traditional antipsoriatic agents is an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis on therapy for over one year and continuing for the long term.