Does interferon-gamma improve pulmonary function in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a disease with progressive and devastating deterioration of lung function and a fatal prognosis, despite aggressive therapeutic attempts, which, in the majority of cases are futile. Recently, a preliminary study of long-term treatment with interferon (IFN)-gamma1b and low-dose prednisolone in patients with IPF suggested that IFN-gamma1b treatment may improve lung function parameters of patients with IPF. Ever since, specialists in respiratory medicine who treat patients with IPF, are called by patients demanding treatment with IFN-gamma1b. Therefore, the authors here present another prospective investigation of IFN-gamma1b in five patients with IPF. According to the previously published design, patients received 200 microg IFN-gamma1b subcutaneously three-times per week and 10 mg prednisolone orally for 12 months. Two patients stopped IFN-gamma1b treatment after 4 months due to side-effects and further lung function deterioration and one patient died 3 months after commencement of therapy. In total, pulmonary function improved in only one patient during IFN-gamma1b treatment, while four patients deteriorated. To conclude, this small series of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis cases treated with interferon-gamma1b and corticosteroids does not support previous data that this treatment improves pulmonary function or alters the natural course of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Furthermore, in the authors' experience, side-effects of interferon-gamma1b treatment can significantly reduce patients' quality of life.
Prasse
A
A
Dept of Pneumology, University Clinic, Freiburg, Germany. prasse@med1.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
Müller
K M
KM
Kurz
C
C
Hamm
H
H
Virchow
J C
JC
D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014109:Total Lung Capacity
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D011239:Prednisolone