Abstract | STUDY OBJECTIVE: DESIGN: Nonrandomized, open-labeled study of efficacy in symptomatic patients. SETTING: Patients were treated as outpatients in a referral clinic. PATIENTS: INTERVENTION: Thirty-three patients were treated with intravenous cyclophosphamide every two weeks. Initial dosage was 500 mg, and the dose was escalated provided the total white blood cell count remained > 3,000 cells per cubic millimeter. The maximum dose administered was 1,000 to 1,800 mg of cyclophosphamide. Corticosteroid therapy was tapered as tolerated by the patient. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Patients were treated for at least six months or until death. For the 33 patients, 18-month probability of survival was > 50 percent. For those patients surviving six months, there was a significant rise in the vital capacity (from 1.6 +/- .61 L [mean +/- SD] to 1.8 +/- .52 L, p < 0.01) which persisted for at least 18 months of treatment. This was associated with a significant fall in the average prednisone dosage from 32 +/- 13.0 mg/day to 4 +/- 10.4 mg/day (p < 0.01) by 12 months. Only one patient required hospitalization for possible drug-related toxic reaction. CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | R P Baughman, E E Lower |
Journal | Chest
(Chest)
Vol. 102
Issue 4
Pg. 1090-4
(Oct 1992)
ISSN: 0012-3692 [Print] United States |
PMID | 1395749
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Cyclophosphamide
- Prednisone
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Topics |
- Cyclophosphamide
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Drug Administration Schedule
- Female
- Humans
- Infusions, Intravenous
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Prednisone
(therapeutic use)
- Pulmonary Fibrosis
(drug therapy, physiopathology)
- Vital Capacity
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