Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
3
pubmed:dateCreated
2003-4-11
pubmed:abstractText
Alpha Interferon (IFN) is a biological agent used for the therapy of an increasing number of diseases, either as an established effective therapeutic tool or in the context of clinical trials. The use of IFN may be complicated by serious adverse reactions. We describe here the clinical course of a variety of vasculopathic complications in association with IFN-therapy in 12 patients with the diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia and 1 patient with malignant melanoma treated at our institute. Vascular manifestations in these patients include Raynaud's phenomena, digital ulcerations and gangrene, pulmonary vasculitis, pulmonary hypertension and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP/HUS). These reactions occurred after 3 months to 3 years of 3-10 million units (MU) daily IFN therapy. Concomitant administration of hydroxyurea (HU) was noted in 5 patients. Discontinuation of IFN and initiation of immunosuppressive therapy brought about a complete resolution or arrested progression of these reactions. IFN-therapy may be complicated by severe vasculopathic/vasospastic complications that usually improve after its discontinuation. Possible underlying mechanisms for these complications are discussed. The early diagnosis of these complications may be vital and IFN should be immediately discontinued when early signs of these complications become evident.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Mar
pubmed:issn
1042-8194
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
44
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
471-5
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed-meshheading:12688317-Adult, pubmed-meshheading:12688317-Antineoplastic Agents, pubmed-meshheading:12688317-Fatal Outcome, pubmed-meshheading:12688317-Female, pubmed-meshheading:12688317-Foot Ulcer, pubmed-meshheading:12688317-Gangrene, pubmed-meshheading:12688317-Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome, pubmed-meshheading:12688317-Humans, pubmed-meshheading:12688317-Hydroxyurea, pubmed-meshheading:12688317-Hypertension, Pulmonary, pubmed-meshheading:12688317-Immunologic Factors, pubmed-meshheading:12688317-Interferon-alpha, pubmed-meshheading:12688317-Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic-Phase, pubmed-meshheading:12688317-Male, pubmed-meshheading:12688317-Middle Aged, pubmed-meshheading:12688317-Pregnancy, pubmed-meshheading:12688317-Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic, pubmed-meshheading:12688317-Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic, pubmed-meshheading:12688317-Raynaud Disease, pubmed-meshheading:12688317-Thrombophilia, pubmed-meshheading:12688317-Vascular Diseases
pubmed:year
2003
pubmed:articleTitle
Vascular events associated with alpha interferon therapy.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health network, 610 University Avenue, Toronto Ont., Canada, M5G 2M9.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Review, Case Reports