Infliximab for treating sarcoidosis patients, Portuguese experience.
M Aguiar1, N Marçal, A C Mendes
1Serviço de Pneumologia 1, Hospital de Santa Maria, CHLN, EPE, Lisboa, Portugal. m_aguiar@netcabo.pt
Revista Portuguesa De Pneumologia
|April 12, 2011
Summary
Infliximab shows effectiveness in treating refractory sarcoidosis patients. Close monitoring is crucial for managing potential side effects during treatment.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Sarcoidosis is a progressive granulomatous disease with ambiguous tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) roles.
- Infliximab, a TNF-a antagonist, has shown success in treating sarcoidosis.
- Paradoxically, sarcoidosis onset has been reported in patients treated with Infliximab for other conditions.
Observation:
- This study evaluated Infliximab for sarcoidosis patients unresponsive or intolerant to conventional therapies.
- Ten patients with biopsy-proven sarcoidosis received Infliximab (5mg/Kg) over one year.
- Patients presented with diverse severe manifestations including neurological, hepatic, ocular, pulmonary, and cutaneous involvement.
Findings:
- Five out of ten patients showed significant improvement.
- One patient with neurological sarcoidosis achieved complete recovery; another regained reading vision.
- Two patients discontinued treatment due to lack of efficacy or Infliximab-induced organizing pneumonia. Two developed anti-histone antibodies.
Implications:
- Infliximab is a potential therapeutic option for refractory sarcoidosis or those with corticosteroid intolerance.
- Tight patient surveillance is essential to detect and manage adverse events during Infliximab therapy.
- Further research is warranted to understand Infliximab's role in sarcoidosis pathogenesis and management.
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