Interferon-alpha therapy associated with the development of sarcoidosis

Interferons (IFNs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis. In particular, IFN-gamma has been linked to pulmonary macrophage activation, a characteristic feature of sarcoidosis. IFN-alpha is now being administered therapeutically in a variety of conditions. To date, IFN-alpha has not been implicated in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis. We report the case of a 50-year-old woman who developed sarcoidosis while being treated with IFN-alpha for chronic myelogenous leukemia. Her disease activity correlated with the dosage of IFN-alpha. We speculate that the immunomodulatory effects of IFN-alpha triggered clinical manifestations of sarcoidosis in this patient.