Psoriasis

Subject: Science and tech

Context:

Itolizumab, a monoclonal antibody used to treat acute psoriasis has got regulatory approval to treat cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome patients due to COVID-19.

Concept:

• Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes red, itchy scaly patches, most commonly on the knees, elbows, trunk and scalp.
• Psoriasis is a common, long-term (chronic) disease with no cure.
• Psoriasis is thought to be an immune system problem that causes the skin to regenerate at faster than normal rates. In the most common type of psoriasis, known as plaque psoriasis, this rapid turnover of cells results in scales and red patches.