[Efalizumab. Long-term treatment of psoriasis].

Efalizumab is a humanized monoclonal CD11a-antibody. It inhibits T-cell migration and activation which are essential steps in the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis. Clinical studies have demonstrated that efalizumab is efficient and safe in the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis. Approximately 30% of patients achieve an improvement in PASI of > or =75% within 12 weeks, with further clinical benefit noted with continued therapy. Efalizumab thus appears as an important option in the long-term management of chronic plaque psoriasis.