Efalizumab for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis

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.