title: Effect of interferon-alpha therapy on serum IgE, IL-4, and sCD23 levels in childhood asthma.
abstract: Seven children with asthma were included in a trial of recombinant interferon-alpha 2a (rIFN-alpha 2a). Patients received either 2 million U/m2 rIFN-alpha 2a (n = 4) or placebo (n = 3) three times a week for 4 weeks. Pulmonary function test, peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR), and clinical symptom scores were monitored throughout the trial. Serum interleukin-4, soluble low-affinity receptor for IgE Fc epsilon RII/CD23 (sCD23), and immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were measured at the beginning of the trial, and at the second week, fourth week, and sixth week. Compared with placebo, rIFN-alpha 2a therapy did not result in a significant change in the above-mentioned parameters. Further studies with a larger number of patients are needed to draw firmer conclusions in regard to efficacy of rIFN-alpha 2a therapy in childhood asthma.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Allergy-Immunology, Marmara University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Başaran
authors.forename: I B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Barlan
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tükenmez
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dai
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000032:analysis*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E