title: Novel therapies for sarcoidosis.
abstract: The treatment of sarcoidosis remains controversial. Corticosteroids remain the cornerstone of therapy, but immunosuppressive, cytotoxic, and immunomodulatory agents have emerged as viable therapeutic options for patients failing or experiencing adverse effects from corticosteroids. Published data are most extensive with methotrexate, but favorable responses have been noted with leflunomide, azathioprine, antimalarial and antimicrobial agents, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors. This review focuses on these novel therapies for sarcoidosis, including indications for use, efficacy, toxicity, and monitoring.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267, USA. Bob.Baughman@uc.edu
authors.forename: Robert P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Baughman
authors.forename: Elyse E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Lower
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003603:Cytotoxins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015769:Granuloma, Respiratory Tract / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000378:metabolism; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015272:Pulmonary Medicine / Q000639:trends; D017565:Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D003603:Cytotoxins; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D008727:Methotrexate