BACKGROUND: The reported efficacy and safety of some biologic agents for psoriasis vary between Caucasians and Asians. Few reports of etanercept exist in psoriasis patients within the Asia-Pacific region. OBJECTIVES: The study aims to report our clinical experience of etanercept in the treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis in Taiwan. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 59 patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis who received etanercept was conducted in a tertiary referral center. RESULTS: Etanercept therapy resulted in a reduction of mean Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) of 47% at week 12 and 61% at week 24. After 12 weeks of treatment, 48%, 26%, and 3.4% of the patients achieved at least PASI50, 75 and 90 response, respectively. At week 24, the proportion of patients achieving at least PASI50, 75 and 90 response was 59%, 37%, and 14%, respectively. Etanercept efficacy in achieving PASI75 improvement was, however, lower than that reported in previous pivotal placebo-controlled trials. No cases of active tuberculosis, viral hepatitis or malignancies were observed during the observation period. CONCLUSION: Our case series demonstrated the efficacy and safety of etanercept for the management of moderate-to-severe psoriasis in Taiwan.
BACKGROUND: The reported efficacy and safety of some biologic agents for psoriasis vary between Caucasians and Asians. Few reports of etanercept exist in psoriasispatients within the Asia-Pacific region. OBJECTIVES: The study aims to report our clinical experience of etanercept in the treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis in Taiwan. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 59 patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis who received etanercept was conducted in a tertiary referral center. RESULTS: Etanercept therapy resulted in a reduction of mean Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) of 47% at week 12 and 61% at week 24. After 12 weeks of treatment, 48%, 26%, and 3.4% of the patients achieved at least PASI50, 75 and 90 response, respectively. At week 24, the proportion of patients achieving at least PASI50, 75 and 90 response was 59%, 37%, and 14%, respectively. Etanercept efficacy in achieving PASI75 improvement was, however, lower than that reported in previous pivotal placebo-controlled trials. No cases of active tuberculosis, viral hepatitis or malignancies were observed during the observation period. CONCLUSION: Our case series demonstrated the efficacy and safety of etanercept for the management of moderate-to-severe psoriasis in Taiwan.