Etanercept for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Etanercept was the first specific anticytokine therapy approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Its clinical efficacy and safety has been demonstrated by several clinical trials in early as well as established disease. Etanercept, along with other TNF inhibitors, have revolutionized management of RA and dramatically improved disease activity, function, quality of life and mortality for these patients. It is structurally distinct from other TNF inhibitors and thus has desirable profiles for immunogenicity, drug survival and infection rate. With the increasing number of etanercept biosimilars, there will likely be a resurgence of their prescription. This article reviews the pharmacology, efficacy and safety of the etanercept reference product, and its biosimilars, in the context of RA treatment.