Infliximab for the therapy of chronic sarcoidosis, Baughman RP, Drent M, Kavuru M et al.: Infliximab therapy in patients with chronic sarcoidosis and pulmonary involvement. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. (2006) 174(7):795-802.
Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory multiorgan disease in which the lungs are the most commonly affected. It can also involve the skin, lupus pernio being a common form of chronic cutaneous sarcoidosis. The histopathologically specific lesion is represented by non-caseating granulomas occurring in the involved organs, with TNF-alpha playing a role in granuloma generation. Several therapies are available, with corticosteroids representing the conventional therapy given as topic or systemic formulations. Anti-TNF-alpha therapies (such as etanercept or infliximab) have been assessed so far, the latter most commonly in refractory sarcoidosis. The discussed study evaluates the safety and efficacy of infliximab in chronic sarcoidosis with pulmonary manifestations.
Antoniu
Sabina A
SA
Clinic of Pulmonary Disease, 30 Dr I Cihac Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania. sabinaantoniu@excite.com