Recombinant human tumor necrosis factor receptor Fc fusion protein (Etanercept): experience as a therapy for sight-threatening scleritis and sterile corneal ulceration.

PURPOSE:To review the efficacy of Etanercept as an alternate therapy for treatment of necrotizing anterior scleritis and sterile corneal ulceration unresponsive to traditional therapies. METHODS:A retrospective review of 10 patients treated with Etanercept for vision-threatening scleritis and sterile corneal ulceration. RESULTS:Etanercept alone or in combination with other immunosuppressive therapies controlled inflammation, arrested tissue ulceration, and in many cases permitted tapering or cessation of toxic immunosuppressive therapies. No complications or systemic toxicity were observed with Etanercept use. CONCLUSION:Etanercept is an effective treatment for scleritis and sterile corneal ulceration and has a favorable benefit-to-risk ratio. It may be considered for therapy of progressive disease or cases that are unresponsive to traditional therapies.