title: Immunosuppression for interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis.
abstract: The efficacy of immunosuppressors in the treatment of systemic sclerosis-interstitial lung disease is still matter of controversy. In this review we will analyse the evidence that immunosuppressors, despite not being able to reverse fibrotic changes, may help in slowing disease progression. Induction treatment with cyclophosphamide should be started as soon as possible in patients at risk for progression. Mycophenolate mofetil and rituximab have to be considered in patients who are unable to tolerate cyclophosphamide. After remission, maintenance treatment with mycophenolate mofetil or azathioprine should be started in order to preserve the benefits achieved during the induction treatment.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Biomedicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cappelli
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guiducci
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bellando Randone
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matucci Cerinic
mesh_terms: D018450:Disease Progression; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D057915:Drug Substitution; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents