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)

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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).