Open AccessBiologic Treatment of 4 HIV-Positive Patients: A Case Series and Literature Review
Author(s) -
Bridget Myers,
Quinn Thibodeaux,
Vidhatha Reddy,
Si-Wa Chan,
Nicholas Brownstone,
Wilson Liao,
Tina Bhutani
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.473
H-Index - 3
eISSN - 2475-5311
pISSN - 2475-5303
DOI - 10.1177/2475530320954279
Subject(s) - medicine , psoriasis , ustekinumab , adalimumab , etanercept , psoriatic arthritis , infliximab , dermatology , population , immunology , disease , rheumatoid arthritis , environmental health
The management of psoriatic disease in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients is challenging. Psoriasis in HIV-positive patients is often severe, progressive, and resistant to first- and second-line therapies, including topical treatments, phototherapy, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), and oral retinoids. Other systemic agents used to treat psoriasis, such as methotrexate and cyclosporine, are immunosuppressants and thus many dermatologists may not feel comfortable prescribing them to HIV-positive patients who are already immunocompromised. Biologic agents, which target specific aspects of overactive immune pathways in psoriasis, have revolutionized the management of moderate-to-severe psoriasis. However, data is limited regarding their safety and efficacy in HIV-positive patients.