[Pentoxifylline: a cheap substitute for anti-TNFalpha agents?].
OBJECTIVE
Pentoxifylline (PTX) is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor drug used to improve peripheral vascular disease. In vitro studies demonstrated that PTX has anti-TNFalpha properties. We did a selective review of clinical trials which used PTX in patients with inflammatory rheumatic and non-rheumatic diseases.


BACKGROUND
Most of the identified clinical trials were uncontrolled and involved a low number of patients. Use of PTX in systemic lupus erythematous, Behçet's disease and sarcoidosis yielded significant preliminary results. Moreover, PTX markedly reduced proteinuria in several glomerulonephritis (lupus nephritis, membranous nephropathy, diabetic nephropathy).


CONCLUSIONS
Further randomized and controlled clinical trials are required to examine whether PTX can improve outcome in patients with inflammatory diseases. Meanwhile, PTX should not be used for the treatment of these diseases.
Koenig
M
M
Laboratoire d'Auto-Immunité, M-4215, Hôpital Notre-Dame, 1560, rue de Sherbrooke-Est, Montréal, Québec H2L 4M1, Canada.
Cathébras
P
P
Guy
C
C
Rousset
H
H
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D010431:Pentoxifylline