Targeting tumor necrosis factor-alpha as a potential therapy in inflammatory skin diseases.

Tumor necrosis factor-a (TNFalpha) plays an important role in the initiation and persistence of inflammation in a variety of skin disorders. The availability of selective TNFalpha blockers has provided new therapeutic opportunities. TNFa inhibitors have been employed with success in treating psoriasis in controlled trials, although further studies are warranted to better define which subgroup of patients can benefit most from this treatment and modalities of combination therapy. In addition, an increasing number of case reports indicates that anti-TNFalpha agents are of value in the treatment of other skin diseases, such as pyoderma gangrenosum and Behcet's syndrome, and in the treatment of graft-versus-host disease.