Treatment of psoriasis with etanercept: the typical patient profile

The chronic nature of psoriasis means that patients often require lifetime treatment. Over this time, treatment frequently has to be adapted to meet variable demands resulting from changes in life course and life events. Biological drugs used to treat psoriasis vary in their dosing regimens, convenience and flexibility. Dermatologists need to understand which biologic agent is best suited for each individual patient. A wealth of evidence supports the safe and effective use of etanercept, which offers a rapid and sustained response, flexibility of dosing, maintenance of response after dose reduction or interruption, and efficacy against non-skin manifestations such as psoriatic arthritis. An expert panel met to agree the typical patient profile of a psoriasis patient treated with etanercept, the main benefits of etanercept in psoriasis, and the patient group most likely to benefit from its use. They agreed that flexibility of dosing, the potential to individualize therapy by stopping and starting treatment while maintaining efficacy, and the possibility of cost saving through the use of flexible treatment regimens were important benefits supporting the use of etanercept in many patients with psoriasis.