title: Alpha interferon-2a (Roferon-A) in the treatment of diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis: a pilot study. UK Systemic Sclerosis Study Group.
abstract: Intramuscular alpha-interferon improved or stabilized skin score in 10/14 (71%) patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis. In 64% of patients, their treating physicians rated it as having stabilized or improved the disease. However, it had no significant effect on grip strength, digital contractures, respiratory function or visceral involvement. Type I collagen synthesis was significantly reduced in fibroblasts cultured from clinically 'uninvolved' skin but not in those from lesional skin. Amino-terminal procollagen III peptides in the interferon treated group were not significantly reduced after 6 months of therapy but showed a trend towards stabilization and reduction compared to disease matched controls on no therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Royal Free Hospital, London.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vancheeswaran
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Black
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000378:metabolism; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011347:Procollagen / Q000378:metabolism; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011347:Procollagen; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C041876:procollagen Type III-N-terminal peptide; D003094:Collagen