Background: The antitumour necrosis factor (TNF) activity of etanercept has been utilized to generate an important and novel treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. TNF has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.
Objectives: To determine whether blockade of TNF activity by etanercept may provide an additional treatment option for patients with psoriasis.
Methods: In an uncontrolled trial, etanercept was added to the treatment regimen in six patients with severe recalcitrant psoriasis (three also with psoriatic arthritis) partially resistant to other ongoing systemic agents.
Results: In each case, the disease activity showed marked improvement on addition of etanercept therapy. No added toxicity was found with etanercept.
Conclusions: Etanercept appears to be a promising immunomodulatory agent that can be used in combination therapy for the treatment of psoriasis, and a prospective controlled trial may be warranted.