Improvement following interferon-alpha 2A in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a progressive or relapsing immune-mediated neuropathy usually responsive to plasma exchange, intravenous gammaglobulin or steroids, with some patients being refractory to these conventional therapies. We report a patient with CIDP who had spontaneous improvement after an episode of sepsis, but subsequently relapsed with severe generalized weakness; he was unresponsive to the conventional treatments for CIDP but had dramatic improvement following treatment with interferon-alpha 2A. Nerve conduction studies following treatment showed improved distal compound muscle action potential amplitudes without change in the degree of conduction block. The mechanism of action of interferon-alpha is unknown, but it may modulate proinflammatory cytokines that have a role in immune-mediated demyelination. Interferon-alpha may be an effective alternative therapy in patients with CIDP who relapse or are refractory to conventional treatments.
Gorson
K C
KC
Neurology Service, St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Boston, MA 02135, USA.
Allam
G
G
Simovic
D
D
Ropper
A H
AH
D002908:Chronic Disease; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins