Protective role of interleukin-6 in systemic sclerosis gastrointestinal tract involvement: case report and review of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
Systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) is characterised by complex multi-organ pathogenesis, including gastrointestinal tract (GIT) disease that remains poorly characterised. Immunosuppression is commonly used to treat inflammatory manifestations of SSc, including the skin, lungs and joints. There is a paucity of data on the effects of immunosuppression on GIT disease in SSc.


METHODS
This case report and review of the literature presents two clinical cases in which interleukin-6 (IL-6) antagonism was used for early, diffuse skin disease.


RESULTS
In these two cases, IL-6 anta-gonism was associated with an exacerbation of GIT symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
We postulate that IL-6 is important in the repair of GIT mucosa and further studies are warranted to better understand the effects of immunosuppression on SSc-GIT disease.
Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake Veterans Affair Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. tracy.frech@hsc.utah.edu.
Tracy M
TM
Frech
Division of Rheumatology, and Lady Davis Research Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Quebec, Canada.
Marie
M
Hudson
D000368:Aged; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D045743:Scleroderma, Diffuse / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000093242:Interleukin-6 Inhibitors
D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D015850:Interleukin-6; D000093242:Interleukin-6 Inhibitors; C508600:IL6 protein, human; C502936:tocilizumab