A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled multicenter trial of etanercept in the treatment of alcoholic hepatitis.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

Alcoholic hepatitis is a cause of major morbidity and mortality that lacks effective therapies. Both experimental and clinical evidence indicate that the multifunctional cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) contributes to pathogenesis and clinical sequelae of alcoholic hepatitis. A pilot study demonstrated that the TNF-alpha-neutralizing molecule etanercept could be an effective treatment for patients with alcoholic hepatitis.

Methods

Forty-eight patients with moderate to severe alcoholic hepatitis (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score > or = 15) were enrolled and randomized to groups that were given up to 6 subcutaneous injections of either etanercept or placebo for 3 weeks. Primary study end points included mortality at 1- and 6-month time

SUBMITTER: Boetticher NC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2639749 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature