Etanercept: long-term clinical experience in rheumatoid arthritis and other arthritis.
Etanercept is a dimeric fusion protein based on the p75 TNF-alpha receptor. It binds to TNF-alpha and blocks its biologic activity. In randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, etanercept has therapeutic activity in rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, polyarticular-course juvenile idiopathic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Etanercept improves joint inflammation, physical function and slows/halts structural damage, especially when combined with methotrexate. A sustained response is observed in a substantial percentage of patients. Although some safety issues should be considered before starting etanercept treatment, in general terms, etanercept is a well tolerated drug with an acceptable safety profile. The use of any TNF-alpha antagonist must be in agreement with the National Recommendations for Biologic Therapy, and in difficult clinical situations, a balance between risk/benefit needs to be obtained.
Cobo-Ibáñez
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Hospital Universitario La Paz, Servicio de Reumatología, Paseo de la Castellana 261, 28046 Madrid, Spain.
Martín-Mola
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D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001168:Arthritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D000068800:Etanercept; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D000068800:Etanercept