Interleukin 4 treatment of psoriasis: are pleiotropic cytokines suitable therapies for autoimmune diseases?

Many human autoimmune diseases are still treated by a combination of corticosteroids and general immunosuppression. A better understanding of the pathogenesis of these diseases has led to therapies that are more specific than current therapies of some of these disorders. In psoriasis, T helper (Th) cells with a pro-inflammatory phenotype (Th1) are considered essential to the disease process. A recent clinical trial of interleukin 4 in psoriasis has demonstrated that such pleiotropic cytokines can be used safely and effectively to correct imbalances in immune function.

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