title: Etanercept therapy for patients with psoriatic arthritis and concurrent hepatitis C virus infection: report of 3 cases.
abstract: Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are exacerbated by interferon alfa and other treatments for hepatitis C virus infection. Immunosuppressants and hepatotoxic drugs are relatively contraindicated in hepatitis C. Data in the literature suggest that etanercept is a safe option in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and concurrent hepatitis C. We present three cases in which we have successfully used etanercept to treat psoriatic arthritis/psoriasis in patients with hepatitis C without worsening their hepatitis or interfering with their hepatitis treatment. With close monitoring of viral load and hepatic enzymes, etanercept may be a safe option for treating psoriatic arthritis/psoriasis in patients who also have hepatitis C.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Center, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901-0019, USA. maglioma@umdnj.edu
authors.forename: Melissa Amy
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Magliocco
authors.forename: Alice Bendix
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Gottlieb
mesh_terms: D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068800:Etanercept; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D000068800:Etanercept