Low dose interferon gamma for refractory Crohn's disease

Direct cytokine modulation may benefit patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Subcutaneous interferon gamma (1.5 microgram/kg) was given three times a week in an open pilot study to four patients with active Crohn's disease unresponsive to standard immunosuppressive drug treatment.

In one patient, the C-reactive protein and Crohn's disease activity index returned to normal and the patient became asymptomatic. The other three patients did not complete the 12-week treatment course, one because of drug failure, one because of drug side effects, and one because of incidental disease. However, the Crohn's disease activity index fell substantially and the C-reactive protein returned to normal in three out of four patients.

Interferon gamma may have a role in the treatment of resistant patients, but only if the dose can be optimised and drug side effects overcome.