Two cases of chronic atopic dermatitis treated with soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor therapy.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease that is mediated by cytokines. In patients with AD, the use of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists has had unpredictable results. Clinically significant improvements in skin symptoms of AD were observed in two patients with severe, chronic disease who were treated with the soluble TNF receptor etanercept. These observations suggest that etanercept therapy may be beneficial in patients with AD, particularly chronic variants with lichenification. Studies to identify features of AD that may predict responsiveness to etanercept therapy in these patients are warranted.