Recurrence of alopecia areata in a patient receiving etanercept injections.
BACKGROUND
Alopecia areata is a common condition of patchy hair loss that has been postulated to have an autoimmune pathogenesis involving inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha. Etanercept is a novel medication that blocks TNF-alpha-mediated processes. We report a case involving the recurrence of alopecia areata in a patient receiving etanercept.


METHODS
We describe a 49-year-old man with a history of rheumatoid arthritis and alopecia areata who developed a recurrence of his alopecia areata while being treated with etanercept for more than 2 years.


CONCLUSIONS
The anti-TNF-alpha effect of etanercept therapy may not be sufficient to prevent the recurrence of alopecia areata. The possible role of TNF-alpha in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata may be called into question if our observation is repeated.
Posten
William
W
Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Swan
James
J
D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D000068800:Etanercept; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000068800:Etanercept