The Role of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Blockers in Psoriatic Disease. Therapeutic Options in Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting peripheral and axial joints, usually associated with psoriasis (PsO) and involving various systems and organs (eye inflammation, such as uveitis; and involvement of nail and enthesis), and it usually requires a multidisciplinary treatment approach. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is overexpressed in psoriatic synovium and skin plaques and its selective inhibition by anti-TNF-alpha agents has been demonstrated to reduce TNF-alpha levels in the articular environment, reversing the synovial hyperproliferative phenotype. Studies performed on anti-TNF-alpha agents in PsA demonstrated that they are able to reduce neutrophil and macrophage infiltration as well as vascular cell adhesion protein 1 expression with ensuing synovial thickness normalization. The efficacy of anti-TNF-alpha agents for all PsA manifestations (peripheral arthritis, axial involvement, enthesopathy, and skin disease) suggests that anti-TNF-alpha efficacy might be related to the ability to influence angiogenesis and osteoclastogenesis, reduce synovial inflammation, and slow radiological disease progression. This review describes the role of anti-TNF-alpha in each manifestation of PsA.