Melanoma occurrence under long-term etanercept treatment for psoriasis: a case report

Dermatol Online J. 2016 Oct 15;22(10):13030/qt9qf6t40j.

Abstract

Melanoma occurrence during treatment with anti-tumor necrosis factor is considered an incidental event, although very recent studies suggest a risk. Etanercept is a fusion protein that binds the tumor necrosis factor receptor and is included among TNF inhibitors, approved for the treatment of several autoimmune diseases, such as psoriasis.We described a 79-year-old man with psoriasis, being treated with etanercept, who presented with a new brown to black macule on his right shoulder; this was immediately surgically excised. Histology showed a superficial spreading melanoma, 1.2 mm Breslow thickness, one mitosis/hpf, with no vascular or neural invasion (stage T2b). Sentinel lymph node biopsy was negative. There were no apparent melanoma risk factors: normal total nevus count, photo type IV, no childhood sunburns, no family history of melanoma, and no previous immune suppressive drugs and/or phototherapies. Etanercept 50 mg/week had been administered continuously for 5 years before the melanoma occurrence. After etanercept withdrawal his psoriasis slowly, but progressively relapsed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Etanercept / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Italy
  • Male
  • Melanoma / diagnosis*
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Psoriasis / drug therapy*
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Etanercept