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Copyright ©ERS Journals Ltd 2003
Does interferon-
improve pulmonary function in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?
1 Dept of Pneumology, and 2 Dept of Radiology, University Clinic, Freiburg. 3 Dept of Pathology, Berufsgenossenschaftliche Kliniken, Ruhr-Universität, Bochum, 4 Nordseeklinik Westerland, Sylt, and5 Dept of Pneumology, University Medical Clinic, Rostock, Germany.
CORRESPONDENCE: A. Prasse, Abteilung für Pneumologie, Medizinische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Kilianstrasse 5, D-79106, Freiburg, Germany. Fax: 49 7612703704. E-mail: prasse@med1.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
Keywords: idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, interferon-
treatment, pulmonary function, therapy, usual interstitial pneumonia
Received: October 6, 2002
Accepted July 28, 2003
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a disease with progressive and devastating deterioration of lung function and a fatal prognosis, despite aggressive therapeutic attempts, which, in the majority of cases are futile.
Recently, a preliminary study of long-term treatment with interferon (IFN)-
According to the previously published design, patients received 200 µg IFN-
To conclude, this small series of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis cases treated with interferon-
1b and low-dose prednisolone in patients with IPF suggested that IFN-1b treatment may improve lung function parameters of patients with IPF. Ever since, specialists in respiratory medicine who treat patients with IPF, are called by patients demanding treatment with IFN-1b. Therefore, the authors here present another prospective investigation of IFN-1b in five patients with IPF. 1b subcutaneously three-times per week and 10 mg prednisolone orally for 12 months. Two patients stopped IFN-1b treatment after 4 months due to side-effects and further lung function deterioration and one patient died 3 months after commencement of therapy. In total, pulmonary function improved in only one patient during IFN-1b treatment, while four patients deteriorated. 1b and corticosteroids does not support previous data that this treatment improves pulmonary function or alters the natural course of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Furthermore, in the authors' experience, side-effects of interferon-1b treatment can significantly reduce patients' quality of life.
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