Ustekinumab in the Treatment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis.

Biologics have revolutionized the therapy of the psoriatic disease spectrum. These new classes of drugs also allow deeper insight into the pathogenesis of the disease and highlight the existence of distinct "molecular" disease subgroups as evidenced by the spectrum of clinical response seen. Molecules associated with both the interleukin (IL)-17 and interferon (IFN)γ pathways have important functions in psoriatic inflammation, and both are targeted by drugs acting on the p40 subunit shared by IL-12 and IL-23.

Systematic review of treatment effectiveness and outcome measures for enthesitis in psoriatic arthritis.

Enthesitis is a characteristic feature of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and is important in disease pathogenesis and classification. Use of clinical outcome measures for enthesitis is heterogeneous, and only 1 measure has been specifically developed and validated in PsA. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging assessments of enthesitis may have advantages over clinical examination but are insufficiently studied.

Treating acne vulgaris: systemic, local and combination therapy.

Optimizing the management of acne vulgaris corresponds with improved outcomes, reduced scarring and a positive influence on the profound psychosocial disability that frequently accompanies this debilitating skin condition. Many effective, cost-effective therapies are widely available, but significant improvement or clearance can only be achieved if these agents are employed with a logical approach. Patient variability makes the definition of optimum treatment strategies difficult, but with due consideration of the pathological mechanisms driving acne in each individual patient, an appropriate combination of topical, systemic and localized therapies can be prescribed that will yield a favorable outcome.