Improvement of idiopathic pyoderma gangrenosum during treatment with anti-tumor necrosis factor alfa monoclonal antibody.
Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an inflammatory ulcerative condition of unknown etiology. An autoimmune mechanism including immune complex-mediated neutrophilic vascular reactions has been suggested. The role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in PG remains unclear. Evidence supports the idea that TNF plays a role in chronic inflammation and migration of neutrophils to these lesions. PG is frequently associated with various diseases, but up to 50% of cases are idiopathic. There are several reports describing the successful use of infliximab (Remicade, Centocor, Inc, Horsham, Pa), a chimeric antitumor necrosis factor alpha monoclonal antibody, in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease- associated PG, but there have been few reported cases of infliximab in the treatment of idiopathic PG. The authors present a dramatic improvement in 4 cases of idiopathic PG of the lower leg treated with infliximab.
Dini
Valentina
V
Wound Healing Research Unit, Department of Dermatology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Romanelli
Marco
M
Bertone
MariaStefania
M
Talarico
Sara
S
Bombardieri
Stefano
S
Barachini
Paolo
P
D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017511:Pyoderma Gangrenosum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab