acitretin + infliximab

Acitretin + infliximab is a combination therapy consisting of acitretin, an oral retinoid (vitamin A derivative), and infliximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody targeting tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Acitretin modulates keratinocyte differentiation and proliferation, while infliximab binds to and neutralizes TNF-α, a key cytokine in inflammatory processes. This combination has been used primarily for the treatment of severe forms of psoriasis, particularly generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP), where monotherapy with either agent may be insufficient. The rationale for combining these agents is to achieve rapid disease control with infliximab’s potent anti-inflammatory effects while maintaining long-term remission and reducing relapse risk with acitretin’s keratinocyte-modulating properties. Clinical reports indicate that this regimen can result in rapid resolution of skin lesions and sustained disease control in patients refractory to other treatments[1][2][3].