Abstract

In the past two decades an explosion in the use of biological treatments has occurred in dermatology. These drugs target cytokines and cells involved in chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, changing the classical approach to different conditions. Biological drugs are synthesized by different cell types and produce their effects by binding to specific cell surface receptors. The inhibition of the inflammatory cascade at different points (TNF blockade, B or T lymphocyte inhibition) obtained with these medications showed to be helpful in numerous dermatological conditions (psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, pemphigus, hydradenitis supurativa… etc.) and new indications are continuously reported in the literature. In this chapter, tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab), alefacept, ustekinumab and rituximab are reviewed. Licensed and off-label indications are considered, as well as dosage, contraindications and adverse events.