Human leukocyte interferon in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Forty patients with symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis were treated with daily injections of 100 micrograms of human leukocyte interferon or saline placebo. Twenty patients received the interferon for nine weeks and were then switched to placebo for nine weeks, and 20 patients were started on placebo and were then switched to interferon. Treatment effectiveness was assessed on measures of symptom severity and activity impairment. On both measures the patients showed a rapid and constant improvement while being treated with interferon.