Serum infliximab concentrations in psoriatic patients treated with infliximab: a systematic review

The efficacy of infliximab is influenced by individual variability in its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Serum infliximab concentrations could therefore be related to the efficacy and tolerance of infliximab, and assist adjustment of treatment. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the value of measuring serum infliximab concentrations in psoriatic patients. A bibliographic search was performed on MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, LILACS for original studies on serum infliximab concentrations in psoriatic patients treated with infliximab. Ten articles were included, representing evaluation of serum infliximab concentrations in 733 patients. Predictive value of higher serum infliximab concentrations on long-term response maintenance was suggested in 3 studies. There was no information regarding the value of such measurements for adjustment of infliximab dosage. Trough serum infliximab concentrations that are at least detectable (>0.1 mg/L) at steady state (week 22) seem to be associated with maintaining a clinical response in the long term.