[Autoimmune diseases and treatment with interferon-alpha: review of the literature apropos of a case of hyperthyroidism].
We report a case of thyrotoxicosis in a male patient under alpha-interferon (INF-alpha) therapy. Data from the literature show that treatment with IFN-a alone or combined with interleukin-2 (IL-2) can induce dysthyroidism (hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroiditis). The frequency of dysthyroidism under INF-alpha therapy ranges from 10 to 40% depending on the authors. During combined INF-alpha and IL-2 therapy these figures reach 20 to 91%. The presence of anthyroid antibodies before treatment makes it more probable that dysthyroidism will occur. The administration of INF-alpha can exacerbate or induce various autoimmune diseases.
Service de Médecine Interne-Endocrinologie, Centre Hospitalier Lyon-Sud, Pierre-Bénite.
J
J
Dupont
J
J
Orgiazzi
A
A
Burger
D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology
D016898:Interferon-alpha