Etanercept for severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: observations on combination therapy.
BACKGROUND
The antitumour necrosis factor (TNF) activity of etanercept has been utilized to generate an important and novel treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. TNF has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether blockade of TNF activity by etanercept may provide an additional treatment option for patients with psoriasis.


METHODS
In an uncontrolled trial, etanercept was added to the treatment regimen in six patients with severe recalcitrant psoriasis (three also with psoriatic arthritis) partially resistant to other ongoing systemic agents.


RESULTS
In each case, the disease activity showed marked improvement on addition of etanercept therapy. No added toxicity was found with etanercept.


CONCLUSIONS
Etanercept appears to be a promising immunomodulatory agent that can be used in combination therapy for the treatment of psoriasis, and a prospective controlled trial may be warranted.
Iyer
S
S
Clinical Research Specialists, Santa Monica, CA, USA.
Yamauchi
P
P
Lowe
N J
NJ
D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D000068800:Etanercept; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D000068800:Etanercept