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Published on: July 11, 2013
Etanercept for the treatment of refractory pyoderma gangrenosum: a brief series
Carlos A Charles1, Argentina Leon, Meggan R Banta
1Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
Background:
Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare ulcerative inflammatory condition of unknown etiology. Therapy for PG involves local wound care along with topical and systemic anti-inflammatory and other immunodulatory agents. Etanercept is one such immunomodulator with activity against the inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor.
Objective:
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of etanercept in the treatment of PG ulcers.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was performed on seven patients with 11 refractory PG ulcers treated with subcutaneous injections of etanercept (25-50 mg twice weekly).
Results:
All seven patients with PG responded well to etanercept. Eight of the 11 ulcers (73%) completely healed with the mean time of (12.5 weeks), while the other three ulcers had marked reduction in size (within 8-18 weeks). Etanercept was well tolerated. No serious side-effects were reported. Only one patient discontinued the drug secondary to side-effects.
Conclusion:
Etanercept is an alternative treatment option for patients with refractory ulcers due to PG.
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