Etanercept in spondyloarthropathies. Part I: current evidence of efficacy.

Etanercept is a recombinant soluble tumour necrosis factor alpha receptor administered subcutaneously at the dose of 50 mg weekly (or 25 mg/twice weekly) for the treatment of the main chronic arthritides: rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthropathies. It shows high qualities in terms of efficacy and manageability. Favourable results were reported in all localisations of spondyloarthropathies: axial disease, peripheral arthritis, and enthesitis. In particular, several studies demonstrated its efficacy on the clinical and functional indicators of ankylosing spondylitis. Similar data were also reported for psoriatic arthritis in which, in addition, a significant reduction in the progression of erosive damages was widely described. Furthermore, although only a few studies are available, very interesting results have been obtained in patients suffering from undifferentiated spondyloarthropathies and severe enthesitis.