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Psoriasis vulgaris is a heterogeneous, chronic, inflammatory skin disease characterized by thickened, red, scaly plaques and systemic inflammation. The pathogenesis of psoriasis is complex and is driven by pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-23, IL-17 and TNF, as well as the hyperproliferation of keratinocytes. Other factors modify the clinical expression of psoriasis, such as genes, age, environmental factors, infections, and medications. The purpose of this lecture is to provide an understandable overview of the current working immune model of psoriatic disease and to provide a framework for understanding how first-generation and newer, novel systemic therapies result in disease improvement.
Dr. Hawkes is a board-certified dermatologist and Investigator at the Oregon Medical Research Center in Portland, Oregon. He completed his medical school and residency at the University of Utah. During medical school, he completed a fellowship in translational immunology in the NIH-HHMI Research Scholars Program. He also received a Master’s Degree in Clinical Investigation from Rockefeller University, where he was Chief Clinical Scholar and Principal and sub-Investigator on multiple human research protocols in the Laboratory for Investigative Dermatology. He has held academic appointments in the Departments of Dermatology at the University of Utah, University of California-Davis, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Dr. Hawkes is a current Councilor in the International Psoriasis Council and serves on the NPF Medical Board and Scientific Advisory Committee. He also serves as the official delegate of the AAD as a member of the international guidelines and workgroup committee for urticaria. His research has been funded by the NIH, NSF, NPF, and Dermatology Foundation, and he is the recipient of several teaching awards including NPF Outstanding Educator in Psoriatic Disease and Exceptional Teacher of the Year in the Department of Dermatology at Mount Sinai. His primary clinical and research interests include novel immune therapies for inflammatory conditions like psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, HS, alopecia areata, vitiligo, and urticaria.