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Scientific article
English

Treatment of psoriasis with alefacept in patients with hepatitis C infection: a report of two cases

Published inBritish journal of dermatology, vol. 152, no. 5, p. 1048-1050
Publication date2005
Abstract

Alefacept is a fully human fusion protein for use in adult patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis. Its dual mechanism of action involves inhibition of T-cell activation and selective reduction of memory T cells. We report the clinical course of two patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who have received alefacept for psoriasis. Consistent with its mechanism of action, administration of alefacept led to transient decreases in CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell counts. However, these reductions were not associated with an increase in HCV viral load or exacerbation of infection. Liver enzymes remained stable throughout the treatment and follow-up periods. Alefacept has a selective mechanism of action that specifically targets memory T cells and this selectivity may account for its safety and tolerability in patients with hepatitis.

Keywords
  • Adult
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
  • Hepatitis C/*complications/immunology/virology
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents/*therapeutic use
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psoriasis/complications/*drug therapy/immunology
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins/*therapeutic use
  • Viral Load
Affiliation Not a UNIGE publication
Citation (ISO format)
THACI, Diamant et al. Treatment of psoriasis with alefacept in patients with hepatitis C infection: a report of two cases. In: British journal of dermatology, 2005, vol. 152, n° 5, p. 1048–1050. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2005.06423.x
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ISSN of the journal0007-0963
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