Etanercept: a soluble TNF-alpha receptor in the treatment of psoriasis

Among tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α neutralizing drugs, etanercept is unique in as much as it is a recombinant, fully human, soluble form of the TNF-α receptor. Previously licensed for the treatment of adult and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, recent double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trials have provided large and consistent evidence that etanercept induces a major clinical benefit in psoriasis. Etanercept rapidly and substantially improves psoriatic skin symptoms and leads to significant gain in quality of life. It allows safe and effective long-term control of psoriasis. Therefore, evidence-based treatment guidelines recommend the use of etanercept in moderate-to-severe plaque-type psoriasis.