Psoriasis induced by interferon-alpha.
Recombinant human interferon-alpha has been used in the treatment of several cancers, but there have been several reports that it may exacerbate psoriasis or trigger off its onset. We report four patients, three of whom first developed psoriasis and one who had an aggravation of the condition during treatment with interferon-alpha. Three of the patients had the carcinoid syndrome and one a renal carcinoma, and all were treated with interferon-alpha 2b or 2a (IFN-alpha 2b, 2a) with doses ranging from 1.5 x 10(6) U daily to 18 x 10(6) U three times weekly. In two of the patients there appeared to be a correlation between the severity of the psoriasis and the dosage of interferon.
Funk
J
J
Department of Dermatology, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.
Langeland
T
T
Schrumpf
E
E
Hanssen
L E
LE
D000368:Aged; D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000188:drug therapy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins