Case reports of etanercept in inflammatory dermatoses

Skin disfigurations and pruritus can pose severe threats to quality of life, and treatment options for patients with recalcitrant diseases are limited. Tumor necrosis factor α, a proinflammatory cytokine, appears to play a central role in mediating the symptoms of many skin disorders. We report cases in which etanercept (Enbrel; Immunex Corp, Thousand Oaks, Calif), a tumor necrosis factor α antagonist that is approved for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis, was administered to ameliorate the symptoms of acute and chronic dermatologic conditions, including Hailey-Hailey disease, severe psoriasis, dermatomyositis, and subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Treatment with etanercept substantially improved the clinical symptoms and quality of life in these patients, and may offer a therapeutic option for some patients with severe skin disorders.