Psoriasis and hepatitis C treated with anti-TNF alpha therapy (etanercept).
The treatment of severe psoriasis in patients with concomitant hepatitis-C virus infection is quite difficult because several systemic anti-psoriatic drugs are contraindicated owing to their liver toxicity. Recent observations in the literature suggest that etanercept is an effective and safe therapy for this setting of patients. We present a 45-year-old man with extensive plaque psoriasis and concurrent hepatitis C, successfully treated with 12-month etanercept monotherapy. Regular controls of hepatic enzymes and viral load during the treatment disclosed no worsening of baseline values. This case confirms that etanercept may be a safe option for the therapy of patients with psoriasis and hepatitis-C virus infection.
Cecchi
Roberto
R
Department of Dermatology, Spedali Riuniti, V. Matteotti 1, 51100 Pistoia, Italy. r.cecchi@usl3.toscana.it
Bartoli
Laura
L
D015897:Comorbidity; D000068800:Etanercept; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D019562:Viral Load
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000068800:Etanercept