Main adverse reactions in biological agents in dermatology and their strategies

Biologic therapy is a major advancement in clinical therapeutics. It provides a solution to severe and refractory diseases, meanwhile brings a series of new safety concerns. In dermatology biologic agents are mainly applied to the treatment of psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, chronic urticaria, and malignant melanoma, etc. Different biologics may induce different adverse reactions, among which the commonest are infection, allergy and autoimmune response. Administration of biologics should be strictly managed in terms of therapeutic target, mechanism of action, features of preparation, and conditions of patients. Patients should be strictly evaluated for their eligibility before treatment and closely monitored during the therapy, so as to ensure their safety. Key words: Drug therapy; Drug toxicity; Psoriasis; Dermatitis, atopic; Urticaria; Melanoma; Biologic therapy; Adverse effect