Leukocytoclastic vasculitis due to etanercept

J Rheumatol. 2000 Aug;27(8):2041-4.

Abstract

Recently etanercept, a soluble recombinant tumor necrosis factor receptor:Fc fusion protein, became available to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Among adverse reactions are cutaneous side effects, which occur in about 5% of patients. These have included mostly injection site reactions as well as urticarial reactions. We describe the first case of leukocytoclastic vasculitis associated with the use of etanercept in a patient with severe, deforming RA previously unresponsive to multiple therapies. Discontinuation of the drug led to complete resolution of the vasculitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / pathology
  • Etanercept
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Recombinant Proteins / adverse effects*
  • Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous / chemically induced*
  • Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous / pathology

Substances

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