Interferon gamma-1b as Therapy for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
2004; Karger Publishers; Volume: 71; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1159/000075653
ISSN1423-0356
AutoresSteven D. Nathan, Scott D. Barnett, Brian R. Moran, Donald L. Helman, Karin L. Nicholson, Shahzad Ahmad, Andrew F. Shorr,
Tópico(s)Sarcoidosis and Beryllium Toxicity Research
Resumo<i>Background: </i>The only proven therapeutic option for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is lung transplantation. It is biologically plausible that interferon gamma-1b (G-IFN) may halt or even reverse the disease process and therefore prove to be an effective medical therapy. We report our results using this medication in a cohort of patients with a wide range of severity of IPF. <i>Objectives:</i> To determine the impact of G-IFN therapy on the progression of disease in patients with IPF. <i>Methods: </i>We performed a retrospective analysis of patients’ pulmonary function tests (PFTs), specifically the forced vital capacity (FVC) and the single breath diffusing capacity for carbon dioxide (DL<sub>CO</sub>). Comparisons of these parameters prior to and after the implementation of therapy were made by generating regression slopes by least-squares equations. <i>Results: </i>Twenty-two patients qualified for the analysis. For the FVC, comparison of pre- and post-therapy best-fit regression lines demonstrated a significant difference in favor of G-IFN (p < 0.015). For the DL<sub>CO</sub>, a significant difference in favor of gamma interferon therapy was detected in the advanced group (p < 0.03). Seventy percent of the patients showed either stabilization or regression of disease in both their FVCs and their DL<sub>CO</sub>. <i>Conclusion: </i>G-IFN appears to be an effective new therapy for patients with IPF. Salutary effects on the rate of change in the FVC and DL<sub>CO</sub> were most apparent in patients with advanced disease. With slowing or reversal in loss of lung function, G-IFN may improve longevity and may have utility as a bridge to lung transplantation in those patients who are appropriate candidates.
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