Recombinant human tumor necrosis factor receptor Fc fusion protein (Etanercept): experience as a therapy for sight-threatening scleritis and sterile corneal ulceration.
OBJECTIVE
To review the efficacy of Etanercept as an alternate therapy for treatment of necrotizing anterior scleritis and sterile corneal ulceration unresponsive to traditional therapies.


METHODS
A retrospective review of 10 patients treated with Etanercept for vision-threatening scleritis and sterile corneal ulceration.


RESULTS
Etanercept alone or in combination with other immunosuppressive therapies controlled inflammation, arrested tissue ulceration, and in many cases permitted tapering or cessation of toxic immunosuppressive therapies. No complications or systemic toxicity were observed with Etanercept use.


CONCLUSIONS
Etanercept is an effective treatment for scleritis and sterile corneal ulceration and has a favorable benefit-to-risk ratio. It may be considered for therapy of progressive disease or cases that are unresponsive to traditional therapies.
Hernandez-Illas
Martha
M
Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, University of Miami School of Medicine, PO Box 16960, D4-10, Miami, FL 33101, USA. hernandez.martha@att.net
Tozman
Elaine
E
Fulcher
Samuel F A
SF
Jundt
Jeffery W
JW
Davis
Janet
J
Pflugfelder
Stephen C
SC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000068800:Etanercept; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015423:Scleritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D000068800:Etanercept