Ustekinumab in the treatment of psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic,immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease.Interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 play an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.Ustekinumab,as a humanized monoclonal antibody,can block IL-12-and IL-23-mediated responses by binding to the p40 subunit shared by IL-12 and IL-23,and,hence,can be used for the treatment of psoriasis.Clinical trials have shown that ustekinumab has a marked and sustained efficacy with rapid-onset of action,good tolerability and mild adverse reactions.Moreover,ustekinumab has been recommended for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults,as well as other types of psoriasis. Key words: Ustekinumab;  Psoriasis;  Interleukin-12;  Interleukin-23