Advances in systemic therapy for psoriasis

Severe cases of psoriasis and psoriasis arthritis require systemic treatmen t. Although a number of established drugs are in clinical use, there is a n eed for new compounds with an improved risk-benefit ratio with a major emph asis on long-term safety. Furthermore, patients with moderate psoriasis ask for systemic drugs to make therapy easier and to avoid excessive local tre atments. This article aims to give a brief overview about new drugs or groups of com pounds together with an evaluation of their present status in the treatment of psoriasis and their future role with particular respect to efficacy, to lerability, safety and usability.