Treatment strategies for sarcoidosis.
Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disorder of unknown cause with a highly variable course. Corticosteroids are considered the standard agent for treatment, however there is no consensus about when and in whom therapy should be initiated, what dose should be given and for how long. There seems to be a limited benefit on chest radiographic findings, forced vital capacity and diffusing capacity. The evidence supporting the disease-modulating effect is limited. Cytotoxic agents are often used as steroid-sparing in patients requiring chronic therapy, however there are only little randomized controlled trials to support their use and side effects are common. Tumour necrosis factor-a is thought to be crucial in the development of the typical granulomas in sarcoidosis. Many case reports and case series suggest that specific therapy targeted against this cytokine is very effective. Despite these promising results, only limited evidence is found in multicenter randomized controlled trials.
Department of Pneumology, Unit for interstitial lung diseases, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. Els_viaene@hotmail.com
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Viaene
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Thomeer
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Slabbynck
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Wuyts
D000068879:Adalimumab; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000628:therapy*; D017565:Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary / Q000628:therapy; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000068879:Adalimumab; D010431:Pentoxifylline