Etanercept: an evolving role in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) plays a key pathophysiological role in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Recent interest has thus focused on the clinical potential of TNFalpha antagonists (e.g. etanercept) in these settings. In psoriasis, several large pooled analyses and well-designed clinical trials documented the significant clinical efficacy and generally favorable tolerability of etanercept for up to 96 weeks. Similarly, in PsA, a large phase III trial showed that, etanercept significantly reduced arthritic symptoms and inhibited radiographic disease progression; sustained clinical benefit was again evident for up to 2 years. Etanercept is at the forefront of psoriatic disease management, and continued evolution and evaluation of the compound - for example, in detailed comparative studies and economic analyses - is likely to confirm a key role for etanercept in the treatment of psoriasis and PsA.