Efficacy of etanercept in psoriatic patients previously treated with infliximab.
BACKGROUND
There are few data to enable us to ascertain whether switching to another systemic agent is useful in patients with psoriasis who have not responded favorably to a first systemic treatment.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of etanercept in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis previously treated with infliximab.


METHODS
We analyzed data from patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis and a poor primary or secondary response to infliximab, and who were later treated with etanercept.


RESULTS
Data were collected from 8 patients who were first treated with infliximab. At 54 weeks of therapy, 25% had a psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) of 75. At 24 weeks of therapy with etanercept, 75% had a PASI of 75. Consecutive administration of both therapies did not increase the number of adverse events.


CONCLUSIONS
The data should be regarded with caution due to the scant number of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Switching from infliximab to etanercept can be useful and safe in nonresponders.
Pitarch
Gerard
G
Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital General Universitario, Valencia, Spain. gerardpitarch@hotmail.com
Sánchez-Carazo
José Luís
JL
Mahiques
Laura
L
Oliver
Vicente
V
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D000068800:Etanercept; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069285:Infliximab; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab; D000068800:Etanercept