Reconsideration of 2008 decision: Food and Drug Administration approval of etanercept for systemic treatment of moderate to severe pediatric psoriasis

Although systemic etanercept was approved in 2004 for adults, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) denied approval for use in children with psoriasis in 2008. Revision of the FDA's risk-benefit assessment in response to understanding of disease burden, unmet medical need, and the effect of off-label use in children with psoriasis led to the 2016 approval as the first systemic biologic product for the treatment of children aged 4-17 with moderate to severe psoriasis. This article delineates the thinking that led to this reconsideration. The underlying thinking paved the way to inform current pediatric drug development as the FDA continues to bring needed medical products to children.