title: A case of interstitial pneumonitis associated with natural alpha-interferon therapy for myelofibrosis.
abstract: A 55-year-old man with myelofibrosis was treated with natural alpha-interferon with a good hematologic response. Initially, he had anemia, leukocytosis, thrombocytosis and hepatospleomegaly. A bone marrow biopsy showed replacement with fibrosis with an increase in megakaryocytes. Natural alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN) was started at a dose of 3 x 10(6) units/day. The leukocyte and platelet counts gradually normalized, and the liver and spleen decreased in size. However, the patient complained of a dry cough and dyspnea on the 61st treatment day, when the accumulated dose of alpha-IFN treatment had reached 1.8 x 10(8) units. He subsequently developed acute respiratory failure (PaO2 < 60 mm Hg) with bilateral lung infiltrations, suggesting the occurrence of interstitial pneumonitis associated with alpha-interferon therapy. Immediately, the alpha-interferon was discontinued and high-dose methylprednisolone (1.5 g/day) was administered for 3 days. This treatment was followed by oral prednisone therapy. Steroid therapy brought about gradual improvement as suggested by a repeat radiograph. Since high levels of fibrogenic cytokines, such as PDGF and TGF-beta, have been reported in patients with myelofibrosis, it is necessary to pay attention to interstitial pneumonia as a complication in alpha-IFN therapy for myelofibrosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Andoh
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Minamiguchi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hodohara
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fujiyama
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bamba
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055728:Primary Myelofibrosis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011241:Prednisone; D008775:Methylprednisolone