Etanercept for the treatment of refractory pyoderma gangrenosum: a brief series.
BACKGROUND
Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare ulcerative inflammatory condition of unknown etiology. Therapy for PG involves local wound care along with topical and systemic anti-inflammatory and other immunodulatory agents. Etanercept is one such immunomodulator with activity against the inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of etanercept in the treatment of PG ulcers.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis was performed on seven patients with 11 refractory PG ulcers treated with subcutaneous injections of etanercept (25-50 mg twice weekly).


RESULTS
All seven patients with PG responded well to etanercept. Eight of the 11 ulcers (73%) completely healed with the mean time of (12.5 weeks), while the other three ulcers had marked reduction in size (within 8-18 weeks). Etanercept was well tolerated. No serious side-effects were reported. Only one patient discontinued the drug secondary to side-effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Etanercept is an alternative treatment option for patients with refractory ulcers due to PG.
Charles
Carlos A
CA
Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
Leon
Argentina
A
Banta
Meggan R
MR
Kirsner
Robert S
RS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D000068800:Etanercept; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017511:Pyoderma Gangrenosum / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D000068800:Etanercept