Cutaneous reactions to recombinant human interferon beta-1b: the clinical and histologic spectrum.
BACKGROUND
Recombinant human interferon beta-1b has been recently approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. A significant proportion of patients treated with this medication experienced cutaneous reactions.


OBJECTIVE
We describe the clinical and histologic features of cutaneous reactions to recombinant human interferon beta-1b.


METHODS
Consecutive patients with cutaneous reactions to recombinant interferon beta-1b were evaluated clinically and by biopsy.


RESULTS
Clinical lesions varied from subtle uninflamed sclerotic dermal plaques to erythematous plaques to cutaneous ulcers at injection sites. The nonsclerotic lesions were frequently painful. The firm plaques showed fibrosis histologically, whereas nonsclerotic inflammatory lesions demonstrated a consistent pattern of vascular thrombosis. Hematologic evaluation demonstrated platelet activation in most patients with inflammatory lesions, a feature also noted before interferon treatment in some patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Therapy with recombinant interferon beta-1b is associated with a spectrum of cutaneous reactions and vascular thrombosis.
Elgart
G W
GW
Department of Dermatology, University of Miami School of Medicine, FL 33136, USA.
Sheremata
W
W
Ahn
Y S
YS
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001706:Biopsy; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005355:Fibrosis; D006801:Humans; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000628:therapy; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D015539:Platelet Activation; D010974:Platelet Aggregation; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012598:Sclerosis / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D017445:Skin Diseases, Vascular / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D014699:Venules / Q000473:pathology
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a