Short-term Clinical Experience on Interferon gamma-1b Therapy for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
10.4046/trd.2004.56.6.619
- Author:
Jung Hye HWANG
1
;
Man Pyo CHUNG
;
Eun Hae KANG
;
Kyung Chan KIM
;
Byoung Hoon LEE
;
Won Jung KOH
;
Gee Young SUH
;
Hojoong KIM
;
Kyung Soo LEE
;
Joungho HAN
;
O Jung KWON
Author Information
1. Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. mpchung@smc.samsung.co.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Pulmonary fibrosis;
Usual interstitial pneumonia;
Interferon-gamma
- MeSH:
Adrenal Cortex Hormones;
Humans;
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis*;
Interferon-gamma;
Interferons*;
Lung;
Medical Records;
Prednisolone;
Pulmonary Fibrosis;
Respiration;
Retrospective Studies
- From:Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
2004;56(6):619-627
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Corticosteroids in combination with cytotoxic drugs are the mainstays of therapy for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, there has been no regimen showing any survival benefit. The aim of this study was to describe a short-term clinical experience on interferon gamma-1b (IFN-gamma1b) therapy for IPF, as an antifibrotic agent. METHODS: Medical records of 27 patients who were treated with IFN-gamma1b (2 million IU, 3 times a week, subcutaneous injection) were retrospectively reviewed. Treatment response was assessed using ATS/ERS criteria in 17 patients who received IFN-gamma1b for more than 6 months. In addition, we compared the efficacy of IFN-gamma1b therapy with that of cyclophosphamide+/-prednisolone therapy (n=26). RESULTS: The median age of IFN-gamma treated group (M:F=19:8) was 59 years (44-74 years). Compared to the patients who showed a stable response at 6 months (n=12), the deteriorated group (n=5) had worse baseline lung function (FVC, 55.4+/-11.3% vs. 70.7+/-10.9%, p=0.019; DLco, 50.3+/-7.3% vs. 76.9+/-19.6%, p=0.014). Lower baseline PaO2 on room air breathing was observed in the deteriorated group (68.6+/-7.8mmHg vs. 91.4+/-6.6mmHg p=0.001). Subcutaneous IFN-gamma1b did not show better efficacy than prednisolone. Five patients discontinued IFN-gamma because of severe side effects. ARDS developed in one patient, who eventually died. CONCLUSION: The administration of IFN-gamma1b is not desirable for patients diagnosed with IPF with poor lung function. Long-term and large-scaled clinical studies are needed for its efficacy in IPF.
