Abstract

Efalizumab in the treatment of psoriasis

Author(s): Christine Della Croce, Vicky Kwan Wong and Mark G Lebwohl

Efalizumab was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2003 for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. In Phase I, II and III trials, efalizumab has shown significant improvement in the psoriasis area and severity index and quality of life measures in those patients treated with the drug. The most frequently reported side effects were acute adverse events that occurred within 48 h of the first two doses (predefined during the trials as headache, chills, nausea, fever, myalgia and vomiting).