Etanercept as anti-TNF Psoriasis Treatment
Title: Etanercept An effective TNF alpha-antagonist
in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis and chronic plaque psoriasis
Author: Wozel G.
Publication: Hautarzt. 2005 Sep;56(9):819-830.
Etanercept is drug made from a fusion protein made from portions
of the human TNF-alpha receptor and IgG(1), can inhibit TNF alpha.
TNF alpha or tumor necrosis factor alpha is a cytokine or protein
that mediates immune system response.
The usual dose for etanercept is 25 mg, injected subcutaneously,
administered twice weekly. Higher dosages of 50 mg twice weekly
may be used in severe cases.
Etanercept can be combined with methotrexate, a drug that interferes
with cellular reproduction, as well as other immunosuppressive
drugs. It can also be combined with standard topical drugs for
psoriasis.
Off-label, etanercept can be used for several other inflammatory
skin diseases. Before treating patients with this drug, infections
such as tuberculosis must be excluded. When patients are carefully
monitored, etanercept is generally well-tolerated.
