Psoriasis and its treatment with adalimumab

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD: Psoriasis is an immune-mediated skin condition affecting 2 - 3% of world's population. It affects patients' health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and results in a significant financial burden. Adalimumab is the first fully human monoclonal antibody approved in the US and European countries for the treatment of psoriasis along with other immunomediated diseases. AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW: We evaluate outcomes such as efficacy, safety, and quality of life associated with adalimumab in the treatment of psoriasis via a review of the published literature from the past 10 years. WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN: This review presents the effects, causes, types and treatment options for psoriasis with a focus on adalimumab with the goal of providing evidence-based guidance in choosing the appropriate therapy for the treatment of psoriasis. TAKE HOME MESSAGE: Adalimumab treatment in two forms 40 mg/every other week and 40 mg/week was reported to be effective and safe compared with placebo and methotrexate. Adalimumab significantly improved patients' HRQOL but some adverse events were reported, therefore vigilance is needed when using adalimumab. As the landscape of psoriasis treatments continues to evolve, adalimumab provides a highly effective and relatively safe treatment option for psoriasis patients.