Abstract

Background: Tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors (TNFi) are the most widely used systemic treatments for patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. There currently exists a U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued warning label on all TNFi for “rare cases of new onset or exacerbation of central nervous system demyelinating disorders.” The aim of this review was to update the incidence of TNFi-induced demyelinating diseases. Methods: Pubmed database was searched for safety data regarding demyelinating disease secondary to TNFi therapy prescribed for psoriasis. Results: In clinical trials: 6990 patients had received treatment with etanercept with one reported case of multiple sclerosis; 5204 patients were treated with adalimumab with no cases identified and 2322 patients were treated with infliximab with one case of demyelinating polyneuropathy. Outside of clinical trials: 19 individual cases of demyelinating disorders from TNFi treatment have been reported. Conclusion: Although there is potential for TNF blockade to lead to demyelination of the central and peripheral nervous systems, the results of the present review suggest that demyelinating diseases associated with TNFi are extremely rare. TNFi are not recommended for use in patients with a personal history of demyelinating disease. However, with clinical vigilance and individualized treatment regimen, TNFi may be safe for use in other patients.