Alefacept was the first biological agent approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of psoriasis. Alefacept was initially approved as an intravenous and intramuscular medication. It is available only as an intramuscular medication. Alefacept is an immunosuppressive dimeric fusion protein that consists of the extracellular CD2-binding portion of the human leukocyte function antigen-3 linked to the Fc (hinge, CH2, CH3 domains) portion of human immunoglobulin G. Alefacept selectively blocks the leukocyte function antigen-3:CD2 costimulatory pathway, which is important in the reactivation of memory effector T cells. Alefacept also reduces the number of memory effector T cells in the blood and in the skin.
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