Etanercept: an overview of its role in the treatment of psoriasis.
BACKGROUND
Psoriasis is a chronic and disabling disease affecting patients' quality of life.


OBJECTIVE
Over the past decade, there has been significant growth in the knowledge of the proinflammatory pathways involved in psoriasis, including the role of increased levels of TNF. This knowledge has led to the increased use of biologic therapy, with such drugs as etanercept, a soluble TNF receptor fusion protein, aimed at inhibiting the actions of TNF. The goal of biologic generation is to provide selectively targeted therapy with fewer adverse events than traditional therapies.


METHODS
Etanercept has been studied extensively and Phase III studies have been completed.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinical data reviewed for etanercept-treated moderate to severe psoriasis have shown good efficacy, tolerability and a low adverse event profile.
Galindo
Malini Patel
MP
Center for Clinical Studies, 6655 Travis #120, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Bartlett
Brenda L
BL
Gewirtzman
Aron
A
Mendoza
Natalia
N
Tremaine
Anne Marie
AM
Tyring
Stephen K
SK
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004347:Drug Interactions; D000068800:Etanercept; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000068800:Etanercept