title: Etanercept therapy allows the tapering of methotrexate and sustained clinical responses in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis.
abstract: Methotrexate, the most common systemic small molecule used in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis, is associated with significant toxicities and adverse events. Long-term continuous usage is not recommended due to potential liver toxicity, myelosuppression, and other side effects. Abrupt cessation of methotrexate without tapering can lead to flare-up and rebound of psoriasis. Here we describe sustained clinical responses in 6 patients with psoriasis following gradual cessation of methotrexate through the addition of etanercept therapy.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Institute and Skin Care Center, Santa Monica, and Division of Dermatology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA. psyamauchi@earthlink.net
authors.forename: Paul S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Yamauchi
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Lowe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D000068800:Etanercept; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D000068800:Etanercept; D008727:Methotrexate