Lupus-Like Syndrome Caused by Tumor Necrosis Factor α Antagonists

A rare complication associated with commonly prescribed drugs

Dermatologists may see patients who develop lupus-like symptoms or skin disease suggestive of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (LE) while on tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) antagonist therapy. These authors conducted a retrospective chart review at Mayo Clinic to identify and characterize LE-like disease caused by TNF-α antagonists. They selected patients with at least one serologic and one nonserologic criterion for systemic LE whose disease was temporally related to the use of a TNF-α antagonist.

They identified 14 patients (12 women) with LE-like disease. New-onset arthritis occurred in 13, and 4 patients had skin lesions (a malar rash in most cases, presumably). The TNF-α antagonist had been prescribed for Crohn disease in 10 patients and f…

Reviewing Author

Jeffrey P. Callen, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board XOMA; Eli Lilly; Celgene

Equity Various trust accounts

Editorial boards JAMA Dermatology; UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societies Association of Professors of Dermatology (President-Elect)