Etanercept-Induced Lupus Panniculitis with Continued Improvement after Treatment with Adalimumab for Psoriatic Arthritis

Abstract

Drug-induced lupus erythematosus caused by anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α therapy is considered a rare event. Although different forms of lupus erythematosus have been associated with anti-TNF-α therapy, lupus panniculitis has not been reported previously. We present a patient who developed lupus panniculitis during treatment with etanercept for psoriatic arthritis. Our patient was successfully switched to adalimumab for continued treatment of her psoriatic arthritis and experienced a simultaneous reduction in the clinical findings of lupus panniculitis. This case helps highlight the different forms of drug-induced lupus erythematosus that can occur during anti-TNF-α therapy. This case also provides additional evidence that patients with anti-TNF-α–induced lupus erythematosus can be successfully rechallenged with an alternative anti-TNF-α agent without recurrence of drug-induced lupus erythematosus.