Biologic Drugs and How They Work

We are entering a very exciting stage in medical treatment in that drugs have been designed to specifically hit immunological targets that are involved in specific conditions. Previous immune therapy has involved drugs that have a general suppressing effect on the immune system which consequently prevents high doses being used because of the fear of side effects. Theoretically the more specific the target to be blocked, the less interference with other biological functions - making the drug safer.

These new drugs are known as biological drugs. They are created in living cells. The technique has been used for a long time for drugs such as insulin or interferon.

There are a number of new biologic drugs that are currently used in psoriasis.

• Alefacept (Amevive) (Click here to view the A-Detail™ on Alefacept (Amevive®))
• Efalizumab (Raptiva)
• Inflixiamab (Remicade)
• Etanercept (Enbrel)

Explanation of the difficult drug names:

1. T-cell activation
2. Inhibiting memory or activated T-cells
3. Blocking the migration of T-cells into the skin
4. Inhibiting the chemicals or cytokines produced eg. tumor necrosis factor
5. Blocking conversion of one cytokine into another