Treatment with etanercept for patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in Taiwan--a preliminary report.

Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a major inflammatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). Etanercept, approved in the United States and in Europe for use in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and JRA, is an effective inhibitor of TNF that has been shown to provide rapid and sustained improvement in both diseases. Here we report the preliminary results of etanercept use in 3 cases of JRA with poor response to traditional therapy including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Two of the patients had polyarticular JRA and 1 had systemic JRA. Etanercept was administered at a dosage of 0.4 mg/kg (maximum 25 mg) subcutaneously twice a week. Clinical as well as inflammatory parameter improvement was noted after use of etanercept in all cases. The preliminary results of etanercept use in these 3 cases showed significant clinical benefit without obvious adverse effects.

• Authors: Tien-Chi Liang, Yao-Hsu Yang, Yu-Tsan Lin, Bor-Luen Chiang
• Journal: Journal of microbiology, immunology, and infection = Wei mian yu gan ran za zhi (J Microbiol Immunol Infect) Vol. 38 Issue 6 Pg. 447-50 (Dec 2005) ISSN: 1684-1182 [Print] China
• PMID: 16341347 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antirheumatic Agents
• Immunoglobulin G
• Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
• Recombinant Fusion Proteins
• Etanercept

Topics

• Antirheumatic Agents (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Arthritis, Juvenile (drug therapy, pathology, physiopathology)
• Child
• Etanercept
• Female
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin G (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Male
• Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Recombinant Fusion Proteins (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Taiwan