Etanercept
EnbrelUniProt P20333 · 3D model
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A lab-made decoy receptor that soaks up TNF-alpha before it can trigger inflammation, calming an overactive immune response.
How it works
TNF-alpha is a signaling protein the immune system uses to trigger inflammation, and in autoimmune diseases it's produced in excess, driving joint pain, swelling, and skin plaques. Etanercept is engineered to look like the natural TNF receptor, so it grabs onto TNF molecules floating in the body and mops them up before they can dock onto real cell receptors. With less TNF getting through, the chain reaction of inflammation that damages joints and skin is dialed back.
What it’s used for
Prescribed for adults with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Also approved for children as young as 2 with juvenile forms of arthritis, and children 4 and older with plaque psoriasis.
- Mechanism
- TNF receptor–Fc fusion protein (decoy receptor)
- Drug class
- Fusion protein
- Therapeutic area
- Immunology