Infliximab is associated with an increased risk of serious infection in patients with psoriasis in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland: results from the British Association of Dermatologists Biologic Interventions Register (BADBIR)

Yiu Z, Ashcroft D, Evans I, McElhone K, Lunt M, Smith C, Walton S, Murphy R, Reynolds N, Ormerod A, Griffiths C, Warren R

doi:10.1111/bjd.17036

Investigations of the use of the monoclonal antibody, infliximab (Remicade), that targets tumor-necrosis factor alpha in the treatment of psoriasis, are outlined in this article. Based on the results of the study, it was found that infliximab is successful in clearing psoriasis; however, negative side-effects are associated with its use. The most disconcerting is the large increase in risk of serious infection that goes hand-in-hand with the use of this biologic drug in comparison to alternative treatment options (ie. non-biologics, methotrexate only therapy regimens).