Immunopathogenesis of psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common, complex, inflammatory skin disease resulting from the interplay of genetic, environmental and immunological factors. In the last four decades, advances in understanding psoriasis etiopathogenesis have resulted from pivotal genetics studies, as well as, the integration of clinical and experimental models of disease. This has resulted in the identification of several psoriasis susceptibility genes as well as cellular and molecular mediators, with some of these findings already translated in novel targeted therapies. Here we review the psoriasis literature, describing the elucidation of key pathogenic mechanisms and their translation into effective drugs. Moreover, we describe how the stratified medicine approaches being developed in psoriasis and the quest for psoriasis biomarkers are poised to predict individual susceptibility to disease, detect the onset of disease at the very earliest stages pre-empting its progression, and to develop and prescribe safe and effective medicines to each patient.