Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Phase 3 Study of Etanercept in the Treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis and Psoriasis

Inclusion Criteria: Subjects had to satisfy the following criteria before randomization into the study: Active PsA at the time of screening, including ≥ 3 swollen joints and ≥ 3 tender/painful joints. • Had ≥ 1 of the following subtypes of PsA: distal interphalangeal (DIP) involvement; polyarticular arthritis (absence of rheumatoid nodules and presence of psoriasis); arthritis mutilans; asymmetric peripheral arthritis; or ankylosing spondylitis-like. Arthritis had demonstrated an inadequate response to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy. Subjects had plaque psoriasis with qualifying target lesion. Target lesion was to be ≥ 2 cm in diameter and could not be on the scalp, axilla, or groin. Psoriasis was to be stable (ie, not accelerating). Between 18 and 70 years of age. Subjects remaining on concomitant MTX (≤ 25 mg/week) had inadequate disease control in the opinion of the investigator and had been on a stable dose of MTX for 2 months before start of investigational product. Subjects were required to maintain a stable dose of MTX throughout the study. Negative serum pregnancy test within 14 days before the first dose of investigational product in all women (except those surgically sterile or ≥ 5 years postmenopausal). Heterosexually active men and women of childbearing potential agreed to use a medically accepted form of contraception throughout the study, including the exclusionary medicine washout period and follow-up period. Serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and serum alanine transaminase (ALT) ≤ 2 times laboratory's upper limit of normal; hemoglobin ≥ 8.5 g/dL; platelet count ≥ 125,000/mm3; white blood cell count ≥ 3,500 cells/mm3; and serum creatinine ≤ 2 mg/dL. Negative HIV test. Negative test for hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C. Able to reconstitute and self-inject investigational product or have a designee who could do so. Capable of understanding and giving written, voluntary informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: Guttate or pustular psoriasis. Evidence of skin conditions (eg, eczema) other than psoriasis that would interfere with evaluations of the effect of study medication on psoriasis. Active severe infection within 1 month of investigational product administration. Subjects must be off antibiotics for 1 week before investigational product administration. Previous receipt of etanercept, known antibody to TNF, or experimental metalloproteinase inhibitors (past or current use of minocycline and doxycycline was acceptable). Receipt of investigational drugs or biologics within 4 weeks of the screening visit. Receipt of anti-CD4 or diptheria IL-2 fusion protein within the previous 6 months, with a subsequent abnormal absolute T cell count. Psoralen ultraviolet A phototherapy (PUVA) within 4 weeks of investigational product initiation. Ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy within 2 weeks of investigational product initiation. Receipt of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) other than MTX (eg, hydroxycholorquine, oral or injectable gold, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, azathioprine, D-penicillamine, or sulfasalazine) or intra-articular corticosteroids within 4 weeks before the first dose of investigational product. Dose of NSAID greater than the maximum recommended dose in the product information. NSAID dose had to be stable for ≥ 4 weeks before screening evaluation. Concomitant corticosteroids > 10 mg/day of prednisone (or its equivalent). Corticosteroid dose had to be stable for ≥ 4 weeks before screening evaluation. Topical steroids, oral retinoids, topical vitamin A or D analog preparations or anthralin within 14 days of baseline. (Exception: Topical therapies were permitted on scalp, axillae, and groin but had to be stable throughout trial.) Pregnancy or lactation in women. Significant concurrent medical diseases including: Diabetes mellitus requiring insulin Uncompensated congestive heart failure Myocardial infarction within 12 months of screening visit Unstable or stable angina pectoris Uncontrolled hypertension Severe pulmonary disease (requiring medical or oxygen therapy) History of cancer (other than resected cutaneous basal or squamous cell carcinoma or in situ cervical cancer) within 5 years of screening visit HIV positive, hepatitis B surface antigen, or hepatitis C positive Rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, scleroderma, or polymyositis Any condition judged by the subject's physician that would cause this study to be detrimental to the subject Current or history of psychiatric disease that would interfere with ability to comply with the study protocol or give informed consent. History of alcohol or drug abuse that would interfere with ability to comply with the study protocol.