[Biological treatment in dermatology--psoriasis]. / Biologická lécba v dermatologii--psoriáza.

Psoriasis is a chronic, relapsing skin disease affecting 1-2% of the population. Genetically-determined autoimmune inflammation is initiated by an infection (e.g. streptococcal). T-lymphocytes, producing a number ofcytokines, mainly of the Th1 profile, including TNF alpha, play a key role. The role of Th17 and its interleukin IL-23 has recently been confirmed. It contains p40 protein, also a component of IL-12. TNF alpha and p40 blockade appear to be an effective biological treatment of severe lesional psoriasis. Further research and new drug development is to assure modern individualized treatment of psoriasis as well as other skin diseases.