[Multiple basal cell carcinomas after etanercept treatment for psoriasis]

Several cases of skin cancer have been reported after treatment with etanercept although the causal relationship remains uncertain. We report the case of a patient who rapidly developed multiple basal cell carcinomas (BCC) after discontinuation of this treatment.

A 42-year-old man presented severe plaque psoriasis after receiving topical therapy, less than 100 sessions of PUVA-therapy, retinoids and repeated solar exposure. Severe worsening of the psoriasis led us to use etanercept for seven months with excellent results. However, 11 BCCs gradually appeared within a year starting one month after the end of treatment.

There is some controversy about the risk of non melanoma skin cancer associated with etanercept treatment. However, even the most recent studies are contradictory and they mostly concern rheumatological indications. In the past four years, a dozen cases of BCC have been reported following treatment for cutaneous psoriasis. As regards our patient, a genetic predisposition is possible but a potentiating effect of solar exposure is strongly suspected. This observation should lead to reinforced screening for BCC and restriction of anti-TNFalpha therapy to patients who have received less than 1000 J of PUVA-therapy, as recommended by the British Society of Rheumatology for psoriatic rheumatism. Levels of natural solar exposure must be also be taken into account.