Infliximab may be effective in the treatment of steroid-resistant eosinophilic fasciitis: report of three cases.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

EF is a rare fibrosing disorder that may involve skin and internal organs. Current therapies include moderate- to high-dose glucocorticoids with or without use of immunosuppressives.

METHODS:

We report three cases of steroid-resistant EF in clinical practice who were treated with 3 mg/kg every 8 weeks infliximab therapy.

RESULTS:

All patients noticed an improvement in their symptoms, joint contractures and skin thickening within 8 weeks of starting infliximab therapy, ultimately leading to a drug-free remission (range 1-3 years).

CONCLUSION:

Based on this and other reported cases, infliximab may be beneficial in patients with steroid-resistant EF.

• Authors: Dinesh Khanna, Harsh Agrawal, Philip J Clements
• Journal: Rheumatology (Oxford, England) (Rheumatology (Oxford)) Vol. 49 Issue 6 Pg. 1184-8 (Jun 2010) ISSN: 1462-0332 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 20308119 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Steroids
• Infliximab
• Prednisone

Topics

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (therapeutic use)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (therapeutic use)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Eosinophilia (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Fasciitis (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Infliximab
• Middle Aged
• Prednisone (therapeutic use)
• Steroids (therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome