[Refractory psoriasis treatment with etanercept].
OBJECTIVE
Etanercept is a dimeric fusion protein that binds to tumor necrosis factor and blocks inflammatory response. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of etanercept and its maintenance in patients with severe and refractory psoriasis.


METHODS
Twenty two patients with severe and refractory psoriasis in an open-label clinical trial were studied. Patients received etanercept 50 mg/week subcutaneously during 6 months. PASI (Psoriasis Assessment and Severity Index) was used to monitor disease activity in each month of treatment and in the follow up. Results at weeks 12 and 24 are shown.


RESULTS
96% of patients improved their PASI basal score early at week 12. This improvement was maintained until week 24. Etanercept was well tolerated without any significant adverse reaction. Time until relapse was 2.27 +/- 0.59 months (CI 95%: 1.94-2.60).


CONCLUSIONS
Etanercept seems an effective therapy for severe and refractory psoriasis yet long-term dosing and safety studies of etanercept in psoriasic patients are needed.
Mahiques Santos
Laura
L
Servicio de Dermatología y Venereología, Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain. laura_mahiques@aedv.es
Martínez-Menchón
Teresa
T
Sánchez Carazo
José Luis
JL
Pérez-Ferriols
Amparo
A
Soriano Navarro
Carlos Joaquín
CJ
Fortea Baixauli
José Miguel
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; 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*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D000068800:Etanercept