Interleukin-12/23: new treatment for psoriasis?

The New England Journal of Medicine recently reported that the drug interleukin-12/23 monoclonal antibody demonstrated promising results for the treatment and management of psoriasis.

 Patients who took the highest dose of the interleukin drug reported the greatest improvements in the red, scaly, and flaking patches which are characteristic of this skin disease.

Interleukin- 12/23 was given to patients by injection, and the greatest improvements were noted in patients who received the four-weekly 90 milligram doses. Side effects from the treatment were not significant.

 While this is good news, researchers believe more testing and experimentation is needed before interleukin-12/23 monoclonal antibody is widely available for psoriasis treatment and management.