Etanercept is a disease-modifying drug used in management of rheumatoid ahritis. What is its mechanism of action?
(A) Inhibition of TNF alpha (B) COX-2 inhibition (C) IL-6 inhibition (D) Stabilization of mast cells
(A) Ans: A. Inhibition of TNF alpha Gilman 12/e p182; KDT7/e p883, 6/ep205).Etanercept:Fusion protein produced by recombinant DNA.It fuses the TNF receptor to the constant end of the IgG1 antibody.It reduces the effect of naturally present TNF.Hence a TNF inhibitor, functioning as a decoy receptor that binds to TNF.