Interferon induced thyroiditis.
Interferon-alpha (IFNalpha) is used for the treatment of various disorders, most notable chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. One of the commonest side effects of IFNalpha therapy is thyroiditis, with up to 40% of HCV patients on IFNalpha developing clinical or subclinical disease. In some cases interferon induced thyroiditis (IIT) may result in severe symptomatology necessitating discontinuation of therapy. IIT can manifest as clinical autoimmune thyroiditis, presenting with symptoms of classical Hashimoto's thyroiditis or Graves' disease, or as non-autoimmune thyroiditis. Non-autoimmune thyroiditis can manifest as destructive thyroiditis, with early thyrotoxicosis and later hypothyroidism, or as non-autoimmune hypothyroidism. While the epidemiology and clinical presentation of IIT have been well characterized the mechanisms causing IIT are still poorly understood. It is likely that the hepatitis C virus (HCV) itself plays a role in the disease, as the association between HCV infection and thyroiditis is well established. It is believed that IFNalpha induces thyroiditis by both immune stimulatory effects and by direct effects on the thyroid. Early detection and therapy of this condition are important in order to avoid complications of thyroid disease such as cardiac arrhythmias.
Tomer
Yaron
Y
Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Box 1118, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA. Yaron.Tomer@mssm.edu
Menconi
Francesca
F
D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000139:chemically induced; D050031:Hashimoto Disease / Q000139:chemically induced; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000187:drug effects; D013966:Thyroiditis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000139:chemically induced
D016898:Interferon-alpha