From the Guidelines
Enbrel (etanercept) is a recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) receptor protein fused with the Fc portion of IgG1 that binds to soluble and membrane-bound TNF-a and to tumor factor-b, used to treat moderate-to-severe adult and pediatric plaque psoriasis, PsA, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. The approved dosing of etanercept in psoriasis is 50 mg given subcutaneously twice weekly for the first 12 weeks followed by 50 mg once weekly thereafter, as stated in the joint AAD-NPF guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with biologics 1.
Key Points
- Etanercept is currently approved for treatment of various autoimmune conditions, including moderate-to-severe adult and pediatric plaque psoriasis, PsA, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis 1
- The medication works by binding to soluble and membrane-bound TNF-a and to tumor factor-b, thereby reducing inflammation in autoimmune diseases
- Common side effects and potential risks associated with etanercept should be considered, including injection site reactions, upper respiratory infections, and headaches, as well as more serious but rare side effects such as serious infections, nervous system problems, and potential increased risk of certain cancers
- Regular monitoring by a healthcare provider is essential while on this medication to assess effectiveness and watch for potential side effects, as recommended in the guidelines 1
From the FDA Drug Label
Enbrel is a prescription medicine called a Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) blocker. Enbrel is used to treat:
- moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- moderately to severely active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) in children 2 years of age or older
- psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in adults.
- active juvenile psoriatic arthritis (JPsA) in children 2 years of age or older.
- ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
- chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (PsO) in children 4 years of age or older and adults who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (ultraviolet light)
Enbrel (etanercept) is a TNF blocker used to treat various conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and plaque psoriasis. It works by reducing the effect of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in the body, which can cause inflammation and damage. 2
From the Research
Definition and Mechanism of Enbrel (Etanercept)
- Enbrel (etanercept) is a subcutaneously administered biological response modifier that binds and inactivates tumour necrosis factor-alpha, a proinflammatory cytokine 3, 4, 5, 6.
- It is a soluble fusion protein that binds specifically to the cytokine human tumour necrosis factor (TNF) 4.
- Etanercept competitively inhibits the binding of TNF to cell surface receptors, rendering TNF biologically inactive and resulting in a reduction of joint inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis 6.
Approved Uses of Enbrel (Etanercept)
- Enbrel is approved for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing arthritis, and plaque psoriasis 4, 7.
- It is used as a monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate to reduce disease activity and improve health-related quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis 3, 4, 5.
Efficacy and Safety of Enbrel (Etanercept)
- Etanercept has been shown to provide rapid and sustained improvements in disease activity in patients with early and DMARD-refractory rheumatoid arthritis 3, 4, 5.
- It has been demonstrated to inhibit radiographic progression in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis 3, 5.
- Etanercept is generally well tolerated, with common side effects including injection site reactions, infection, headache, rhinitis, and dizziness 3, 4, 5, 6.