Lack of clinical benefit after treatment of systemic sclerosis with total lymphoid irradiation.
Six patients with systemic sclerosis and internal organ involvement were randomized to receive total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) or to serve as untreated controls. Despite evidence of profound immunosuppression, we were unable to detect any longlasting clinical benefit in the treated patients, with follow-ups ranging from 1-4 years after TLI. Moreover, the results suggest that this therapy may accelerate pulmonary and gastrointestinal deterioration in scleroderma.
O'Dell
J R
JR
Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Health Science Center, Denver.
Steigerwald
J C
JC
Kennaugh
R C
RC
Hawkins
R
R
Holers
V M
VM
Kotzin
B L
BL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000528:radiation effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000528:radiation effects; D015182:Lymphatic Irradiation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011653:Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity / Q000528:radiation effects; D011897:Random Allocation; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D013154:Spleen / Q000528:radiation effects