Raptiva effective for hand and foot psoriasis

Hand and/or foot psoriasis can be particularly debilitating and distressing. Now a study has focused on this vexing problem:

A 12-week course of Raptiva (efalizumab) significantly improved chronic severe plaque psoriasis of the hands and feet, researchers here reported today.

... Historically psoriasis of the hands and feet has been a treatment challenge. As a result [said Craig Leonardi, M.D., associate professor of dermatology at St. Louis University,] "we usually just throw everything at it--ultraviolet light, acetritin, methotrexate--but nothing has really worked, and the patients are left just miserable."