Off-label uses of etanercept in dermatology

Abstract Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) is a key molecule involved in the inflammatory response and thus related to the pathogenesis of several autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. The blockade of TNF receptor (etanercept main effect) has been successfully used in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, among other rheumatologic diseases. The only approved indication for etanercept in dermatological disease is plaque psoriasis; however, the literature is full of case reports and case series where etanercept was used off-label, sometimes successfully. We review some of these indications.