Efficacy of an anti-TNF-alpha agent in refractory livedoid vasculopathy: a retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND: Livedoid vasculopathy is a recurrent thrombo-occlusive vasculopathy of cutaneous blood vessels and its standard or first-line therapy is still controversial. Besides hypercoagulability, inflammatory factors may also play a secondary role in the pathogenesis of this disease. Monotherapy of thrombolytics cannot achieve satisfactory results because of concomitant inflammation. OBJECTIVE: This pilot study aimed to determine the efficacy of an anti-TNF-alpha agent in patients with refractory livedoid vasculopathy. METHODS: We studied five patients with livedoid vasculopathy who were resistant to steroids, antiplatelets, or danazol therapy, and were treated with etanercept 25-50 mg once a week for 12 consecutive weeks. We assessed clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and etanercept's efficacy on skin lesions, pain, and quality of life. RESULTS: Etanercept therapy resulted in fast relief of pain in a mean time of 2 weeks. The median duration for the disappearance of erythema and ulcer healing was 8.8 weeks and 10.6 weeks, respectively. There was a reduction in pain by 34.3% after 12 consecutive weeks of etanercept treatment. Disease severity and quality of life significantly improved. CONCLUSIONS: In refractory livedoid vasculopathy patients, etanercept therapy is efficient for skin lesions and pain, and improvement of quality of life, especially in rapid relief of pain.