Etanercept in the Treatment of Psoriasis: The Emerging Evidence of its Therapeutic Value

Abstract

Etanercept is a fusion protein of soluble TNF receptor type II with human IgG Fc fragment, whose use was approved for psoriasis by the FDA and by the EMEA. It neutralizes the proinflammatory effects of TNF-α, a cytokine with a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, preventing binding to its receptors. The aim of our study was to review the emerging evidence of the therapeutic value of etanercept in the treatment of psoriasis. We found that since its approval, several randomised clinical trials have shown its efficacy in the short and long-term, both in a continuous and interrupted course of therapy. Data deriving from these studies have also suggested an acceptable safety profile, as found also in studies conducted on its use in other autoimmune diseases. Etanercept also seems to be efficacious and safe when administered in a combined treatment with other traditional medications and after switching from another biological drug. Moreover, despite its high costs it does seem to be a cost-effective treatment.