Etanercept is a fusion protein consisting of the soluble portion of the p75-tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) and the Fc fragment of human IgG1 and is commonly used to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis.[1]

METHODS: CHLA-255 cells were co-cultured with human monocytes and treated with etanercept (10 μg/mL). TNF-α levels in the co-culture supernatant were measured by TNF-α ELISA; supernatant IL-6 levels were measured by ELISA.
RESULTS Treatment of NB-monocyte co-cultures with etanercept blocked almost all sTNF-α and IL-6 production.
Etanercept effectively disrupted the pro-tumorigenic mTNF-α/TNFR2 signaling axis between NB cells and monocytes, preventing NF-κB activation in both cell types. This reduced monocyte pro-tumorigenic cytokine production, ultimately leading to increased apoptosis and decreased proliferation of NB cells in vitro. [1]

METHODS: Tumor-bearing mice were injected intraperitoneally with etanercept (5 mg/kg) twice a week. Tumor growth was measured by bioluminescence imaging.
RESULTS Etanercept treatment reduced tumor growth by 30% (p<0.05). [1]
METHODS: Etanercept (10 mg/kg/3 days, subcutaneous injection) or saline was administered in AIA rats for 3 weeks at the first signs of arthritis. Body weight and arthritis scores were monitored daily.
RESULTS Etanercept significantly reduced arthritis scores (P < 0.001). [2]