From the Medical Board of the National Psoriasis Foundation: monitoring and vaccinations in patients treated with biologics for psoriasis.

Background: Biologics are widely used in the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Objective: Our aim was to arrive at a consensus on the kind of monitoring and the vaccinations that should be performed before and during biologic therapy.

Methods: Medical literature and data presented at meetings were reviewed and a consensus conference was held by members of the Medical Board of the National Psoriasis Foundation.

A randomized comparison of continuous vs. intermittent infliximab maintenance regimens over 1 year in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Background: Previous studies of infliximab in psoriasis have demonstrated rapid improvement with induction therapy and sustained response with regularly administered maintenance therapy.

Objective: The efficacy and safety of continuous (every-8-week) and intermittent (as-needed) maintenance regimens were compared.

Methods: Patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis (n = 835) were randomized to induction therapy (weeks 0, 2, and 6) with infliximab 3 mg/kg or 5 mg/kg or placebo.

Hormonal effect on psoriasis in pregnancy and post partum.

Objectives: To investigate prospectively how psoriasis fluctuates in pregnancy and post partum and to correlate hormone levels in pregnancy (progesterone and estrogens) with psoriatic change.

Design: Psoriatic body surface area (BSA) in pregnant patients with psoriasis (study group) and nonpregnant, menstruating patients with psoriasis (control group) were assessed 5 times over a year. Hormone levels (progesterone and estrogens) were measured in the study group and correlated with change in BSA.

Photodynamic therapy with aminolevulinic acid topical solution and visible blue light in the treatment of multiple actinic keratoses of the face and scalp: investigator-blinded, phase 3, multicenter trials.

Objective: To determine the safety and efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using 20% wt/vol aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride (hereinafter "ALA") and visible blue light for the treatment of multiple actinic keratoses of the face and scalp.

Design: Randomized, placebo-controlled, uneven parallel-group study.

Interventions: Patients (N = 243) were randomized to receive vehicle or ALA followed within 14 to 18 hours by PDT.

A randomized trial of etanercept as monotherapy for psoriasis.

Objective: To determine safety and efficacy of monotherapy with etanercept.

Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study.

Setting: Outpatient, ambulatory; private practice and university dermatology research centers.

Tazarotene cream in the treatment of psoriasis: Two multicenter, double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled studies of the safety and efficacy of tazarotene creams 0.05% and 0.1% applied once daily for 12 weeks.

Background: Tazarotene in a gel formulation is widely used in the treatment of psoriasis.

Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety of tazarotene 0.1% and 0.