Anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced psoriasiform eruptions: Three further cases and current overview

The increasing use of anti-TNF-alpha agents led to a better knowledge of their side effects. Among the cutaneous reactions, psoriasiform eruptions are increasingly described. We encountered 3 further psoriasiform eruptions during anti-TNF-alpha treatment for rheumatologic conditions and review the literature in order to identify the common characteristics of these cases. We found 30 case reports by using a comprehensive search of the 1966-2005 Medline database with a wild variety concerning the psoriasis type of eruption, the anti-TNF-alpha agent, the treatment duration and the presence or absence of a personal or familial history of psoriasis. We conclude that a psoriasiform eruption during anti-TNF-alpha treatment seems to be a class effect, without any as yet known identified predisposing factors, but it is more often self-limited and does not require treatment discontinuation. Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.