Necrobiosis Lipoidica Therapy with Biologicals: An Ulcerated Case Responding to Etanercept and a Review of the Literature

Necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) is an idiopathic chronic granulomatous skin condition. There is currently no standardized effective treatment of NL. Ulceration occurs in up to 35% of cases. Treatment of ulcerative lesions is challenging and often unsuccessful. On the basis of the implication of the tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) on the formation of granulomas, since 2003 anti-TNF-α agents have been employed in cases of NL refractory to other therapeutic agents. We report a 50-year-old white woman with treatment-resistant chronic ulcerative NL of both shins successfully treated with subcutaneous etanercept. A review of the published literature suggests that biological agents (etanercept and infliximab) should be considered as a therapeutic alternative mainly in ulcerative NL unresponsive to prior conventional regimens. The dose and duration of treatment with these agents is not defined, therefore it is required to report management of these patients in order to develop an optimal therapeutic strategy.