Infliximab therapy in pulmonary fibrosis associated with collagen vascular disease

Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology

K.M. Antoniou¹  M. Mamoulaki¹  N.M. Siafakas¹  D. Bouros¹  D.T. Boumpas¹  H.D. Kritikos¹  K. Malagari¹ 

关键词: Infliximab;    pulmonary fibrosis;    collagen vascular disease;    rheumatoid arthritis;    scleroderma;    treatment.;   

DOI  :  

学科分类：医学（综合）

来源: Pacini Editore SpA

【 摘 要 】

OBJECTIVES:To study the potential effectiveness of tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-α) inhibitor treatment for pulmonary fibrosis associated with a collagen vascular disease, CVD (rheumatoid arthritis, RA and systemic sclerosis, SSc) refractory to conventional treatment.METHODS:Four patients (three men with RA, one woman with SSc) were treated with infliximab. All patients received 3mg/kgr of infliximab at intervals 0, 2 and 6 weeks, and then maintenance infusions every 8 weeks afterwards for at least a 12-month period. Patients had active disease despite treatment with corticosteroids and other immunomodulatory agents.RESULTS:Treatment was well-tolerated from all patients. Pulmonary fibrosis remained stable during treatment in terms of symptoms, pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) appearance. As expected, a clinical response was observed in joint symptoms in patients with RA as evaluated by the DAS28 (Disease Activity Score, the 28 joint version).CONCLUSIONS:This study suggests that inhibition of TNF-α with infliximab may stabilize the progression of pulmonary fibrosis associated with CVD. Prospective, controlled trials are necessary to determine the efficacy of infliximab in pulmonary fibrosis associated CVD.

【 授权许可】

Unknown