Clinical therapeutics
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Clinical therapeutics · Apr 2003
Case ReportsTargeted etanercept for discogenic neck pain: uncontrolled, open-label results in two adults.
Etanercept, a recombinant biologic anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha therapeutic, is approved for the treatment of certain autoimmune arthritides by subcutaneous (SC) injection. TNF-alpha has been suggested to play a central role in neuropathic pain and neuronal damage associated with intervertebral disc herniation. Directed local administration of etanercept, in anatomic proximity to the site of disc and neuronal abnormality, may result in an enhanced therapeutic response. ⋯ Etanercept, delivered by targeted SC injection, may be of benefit for selected patients with resistant pain associated with cervical disc disease. Further study of this new treatment modality is warranted.