A new concept in the pathogenesis of drug-induced psoriasis

Since drug-induced psoriasis is triggered by a known agent, studies of this type of psoriasis may provide clues to understanding the pathogenesis of the disease. Analysis of the reported cases of drug-induced psoriasis lead us to the postulation of a new concept of this disease. According to this concept drug-induced psoriasis is an auto-immune disease of the beta receptors of the skin. The initial and central event is the alteration of the immunological properties of the receptor due to an interaction with the drug. This leads further to the activation of an immunological cascade that results in a reduction in the functional activity of the receptors and through a known pathway to the development of the clinical manifestation of the disease.