title: Interferon beta-1a long-term therapy related to pulmonary arterial hypertension in multiple sclerosis patients.
abstract: We report two patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) on interferon (IFN) beta-1a treatment for more than 7 years who developed pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Patient 1 developed severe PAH requiring lung transplantation. Histology showed typical proliferative lesions including plexiform lesions consistent with PAH. Patient 2 ceased IFN beta-1a, and their symptoms stabilised. Both cases highlight IFN beta-1a treatment as a potential risk factor for PAH. PAH needs to be considered as a diagnosis in patients on long-term IFN beta-1a treatment who develop new-onset respiratory symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Eye Care Centre (Vancouver General Hospital), Vancouver, BC, Canada/Department of Neurosciences, Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia anfernee45@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fok
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Trevor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Pathology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Catriona A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: McLean
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Ernest
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Butler
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069340:Deprescriptions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016040:Lung Transplantation; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a
keywords: Beta-interferon; interferon; multiple sclerosis; pulmonary arterial hypertension