Efalizumab's efficacy in psoriasis extends to the extremities

The anti-CD11a monoclonal antibody efalizumab [Raptiva] is effective in the treatment of patients with chronic, moderate to severe plaque psoriasis involving the hands and/or feet, according to a phase IV study presented at the 65th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) [Washington, District of Columbia, US; February 2007]. The 12−week study was the first randomised, double-blind trial to evaluate a biological therapy in this subpopulation of psoriasis patients who are often recalcitrant to treatment, and showed that a significantly greater proportion of patients treated with efalizumab than placebo achieved a Physician's Global Assessment (PGA) rating of clear, almost clear, or mild, at day 84. Moreover, one-third of patients treated with efalizumab achieved a PGA rating of clear or almost clear at the same time point.