The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7186 p233-237
23 February 2002

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Four cases of etanercept-induced SLE

Etanercept (Enbrel), an inhibitor of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), should be considered in the list of agents associated with drug-induced systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This is the conclusion of American researchers who report four cases of patients who developed signs and symptoms of SLE during treatment with etanercept (Lancet 2002;359:579).

In the four patients described, the onset of SLE-like symptoms occurred between six weeks and 14 months after the start of treatment. After etanercept was discontinued, the symptoms resolved within six weeks.

The author of an accompanying commentary (ibid, p540) points out that TNF-a inhibitors are generally well tolerated. He adds that a reason for this might be that they reduce TNF-a activity to more normal levels and leave its protective functions intact.