[Successful treatment with infliximab of a patient with refractory sarcoidosis].

Abstract

A 35-year-old patient had persistent, refractory symptomatic pulmonary sarcoidosis, complicated by a rare congenital muscular disease: McArdle's disease (a glycogen storage disease caused by myophosphorylase deficiency). As the desaturations during mild exercise caused by the sarcoidosis aggravated the negative consequences of his muscle disease and he failed to respond adequately to corticosteroids and methotrexateimmunosuppressive agents, the patient was successfully treated experimentally with infliximab, a monoclonal antibody and specific tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitor. The results were favourable: after 17, 21 and 36 months there was an improvement in various lung function parameters, his fatigue was reduced and the patient had been able to resume his work as a taxi driver. TNF-alpha appears to be an important mediator of clinical disease in sarcoidosis and infliximab could be a promising therapy for patients with refractory sarcoidosis.

• Authors: S M Fouchier, G M Möller, M Van Santen-Hoeufft, C G Faber, F W Smeenk, M Drent
• Journal: Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde (Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd) Vol. 148 Issue 49 Pg. 2446-50 (Dec 04 2004) ISSN: 0028-2162 [Print] Netherlands
• Vernacular Title: Succesvolle behandeling met infliximab van een patient met therapieresistente sarcoïdose
• PMID: 15626311 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Infliximab

Topics

• Adult
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (therapeutic use)
• Chronic Disease
• Drug Resistance
• Glycogen Storage Disease Type V (complications, physiopathology)
• Humans
• Infliximab
• Male
• Respiratory Function Tests
• Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary (complications, drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Treatment Outcome
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (antagonists & inhibitors, immunology)