Etanercept for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Etanercept is a fully human soluble recombinant p75 TNF receptor that blocks the binding of TNF to cell surface receptors, thereby neutralizing its biologic activity. Data supporting the FDA's approval of etanercept for controlling signs and symptoms and for inhibiting XRAY progression of psoriatic arthritis will be presented. Data supporting the FDA filing of etanercept for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis will also be presented. Long term safety data of etanercept in the over 231,000 adults and children with rheumatoid arthritis who have been treated worldwide will be briefly summarized. Copyright 2004 Blackwell Publishing, Inc.