Interferon-gamma in the management of chronic granulomatous disease.

Abstract

Bactericidal activity of phagocytic cells depends largely upon their production of highly reactive compounds via the metabolism of oxygen. A lesion anywhere in the biochemical pathway of hydrogen peroxide production potentially can cause chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). Recent work has shown that CGD results from specific abnormalities in the nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) system, which includes membrane-associated proteins, NADPH, cytochrome b-558, and several cytosolic proteins. Pharmacologic alteration of phagocytic oxidative metabolism can now be achieved through use of recombinant interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Data from a multicenter clinical trial indicate that sustained administration of IFN-gamma is effective in the management of CGD; for patients who received IFN-gamma, a 72% reduction in the relative risk of serious infection was noted in comparison with the risk for patients who received placebo. IFN-gamma reduced not only the number of serious primary infections but also the length of hospitalizations.

• Authors: J I Gallin
• Journal: Reviews of infectious diseases (Rev Infect Dis) 1991 Sep-Oct Vol. 13 Issue 5 Pg. 973-8 ISSN: 0162-0886 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1962114 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Recombinant Proteins
• Interferon-gamma

Topics

• Bacterial Infections (prevention & control)
• Granulomatous Disease, Chronic (complications, genetics, immunology)
• Humans
• Interferon-gamma (therapeutic use)
• Phagocytosis
• Recombinant Proteins