Systemic Therapies: Biologics 

Biologics refer to monoclonal antibodies, which are derived from human or animal tissue. These interact with specific parts of the immune system and are used to treat a variety of severe skin diseases. There are several classes of biologics available and this is an active area of research with more classes being studied. Current options for psoriasis include anti-TNFα, anti-IL17, anti-IL23, and anti-IL12/23 monoclonal antibodies. In atopic dermatitis there is an anti-IL4/13 monoclonal antibody. Biologics are expensive medications and generally require a patient to have failed prior treatments or to have severe disease. Live vaccines should generally not be given patients taking biologics.