Orthotopic Liver Transplantation for Etanercept-Induced Acute Hepatic Failure; a case report

The occurrence of hepatotoxicity following etanercept (tumor necrosis factor-alpha antagonist) prescription, has been studied well. However, an acute hepatic failure leading to liver transplant as an adverse effect of this drug has not been reported in the literature. In this article, we are going to present a case of acute liver failure followed by liver transplantation, in a 32 years old man with a previous history of ankylosing spondylitis after etanercept administration. On pathologic examination of the explanted liver, extensive confluent necrosis in all liver segments, as well as prominent infiltration of a mixed population of inflammatory cells in portal tracts, were noted. This study urges the importance of close follow-up of patients receiving etanercept regarding liver complications. Further studies are required to assess the prevalence, risk factors, and outcome of these cases.