Diabetes mellitus tipo 1 en una paciente con hepatitis c durante el tratamiento con interferón alfa. Primer caso comunicado en Cuba / Type 1 diabetes mellitus in patient with hepatitis c treated with interferon á. First case in Cuba

El Interferón alfa (IFN-alfa), se utiliza junto a otros antivirales en el tratamiento de la hepatitis C crónica. Se han descrito alteraciones autoinmunes durante su uso, destacándose las enfermedades del tiroides y la diabetes mellitus tipo 1 (DM 1), entre otras. Se presenta el caso de una paciente con hepatitis C crónica que a los 6 meses de tratamiento con IFN-alfa y Ribavirina, manifestó síntomas graves de coma, cetoácidosis metabólica, hiperglucemía y deshidratación. Se diagnosticó el inicio de una DM 1 secundaria a la administración del IFN-alfa. No tenía antecedentes personales o familiares de factores genéticos predisponentes para el desarrollo de ésta enfermedad. Fue tratada en una Unidad de Urgencias Medicas, donde recibió medicamentos para el control de sus manifestaciones. Se suspendió la administración de IFN-alfa y se mantiene con tratamiento ambulatorio, aplicándose la insulina en dosis fraccionada, ajustada a los valores de glucemia

Interferon a (IFN-a), is used together with other antivirals in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Autoimmune disorders have been described during its use, particularly thyroid diseases and type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1), among others. We report the case of a patient with chronic hepatitis C, showing severe symptoms of coma, metabolic ketoacidosis, hyperglycemia and dehydration after 6 months of treatment with IFN-aand ribavirin. The beginning of a secondary DM 1 at the administration of IFN-a was diagnosed. There was no personal or family history of genetic factors predisposing to the development of this disease. The patient was treated in an Emergency Medical Unit (MEU) where medication to control its manifestations was received. Administration of IFN-a was suspended and the ambulatory treatment is maintained, applying insulin in fractional doses adjusted to blood glucose values

Inmunopatogenia de la psoriasis. Impacto en las manifestaciones clínicas y el tratamiento de la enfermedad / Immunopathogenesis of psoriasis. Impact on clinical manifestations and its treatment

La psoriasis es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica de la piel mediada por células T que afecta a individuos con predisposición genética y presenta varios subtipos clínicos. Se caracteriza por la presencia de placas eritematosas bien definidas, escamosas y de bordes irregulares, que afectan fundamentalmente las regiones de los codos, las rodillas, el cuero cabelludo y el tronco. El alelo HLA-Cw6 del sistema principal de histocompatibilidad está relacionado con la presencia y severidad de la enfermedad. Desde el punto de vista fisiopatogénico, la psoriasis es una enfermedad inmune de tipo Th1, en la que es fundamental el eje IL-23/Th17. Las células Th17 producen las citocinas proinflamatorias (IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22 e IL-26) que activan los queratinocitos y causan hiperproliferación y mayor producción de citocinas proinflamatorias y péptidos antimicrobianos, los que a su vez reclutan y activan otras células inmunes de la piel inflamada. Se produce así una amplificación de la respuesta inflamatoria que conduce a las manifestaciones clínicas de la enfermedad. El tratamiento de la psoriasis incluye agentes antiinflamatorios tópicos, fototerapia, inmunosupresores sistémicos y agentes biológicos, entre los que se encuentran las proteínas de fusión, los inhibidores del factor de necrosis tumoral alfa y los inhibidores de las interleucinas 12 y 23

Psoriasis is a T cell-mediated chronic inflammatory disease of the skin. It affects genetically predisposed individuals and presents several subtypes. It is characterized by the presence of well-defined erythematous, scaly, irregular border plaque or lesions, affecting mainly the elbows, knees, scalp, and trunk. The HLA-Cw6 allele of major histocompatibility system is related to the presence and severity of this disease. From the physiopathogenic viewpoint, psoriasis is a Th1-type immune disease in which the axle IL-23/Th17 is fundamental. Th17 cells produce proinflammatory cytokines (IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22 and IL-26) which activate keratinocytes and cause hyperproliferation and increased production of proinflammatory cytokines and antimicrobial peptides. The latter, in turn, recruit and activate other immune cells of swollen skin. There is thus an amplification of the inflammatory response that leads to clinical manifestations of this disease. The treatment of psoriasis includes topical antiinflammatory agents, phototherapy and systemic immunosuppressive biological agents, including those which are fusion proteins, inhibitors of alpha tumor factor necrosis, and interleukin inhibitors 12 and 23

IFNα2b augments immune responses of cisplatin+5-fluorouracil treated tongue squamous cell carcinoma patients - A preliminary study.

Background & objectives: Interferon alpha 2b (IFNα2b) has been reported to regulate several immune functions efficiently to enhance the cytotoxic activity of NK and T cells towards various forms of tumours. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of IFNα2b in overcoming disease induced and/or treatment associated imunosuppression of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) patients undergoing chemotherapy for better clinical outcome. Methods: Seven TSCC patients under cisplatin + 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy in combination with IFNα2b were assessed for various immunohaematological parameters before treatment, after chemotherapy and after IFNα2b therapy. Results: Deterioration of the haematological and immune responses was detected in immunosuppressed TSCC patients after chemotherapy. IFNα2b treatment led to a recovery in these parameters in most of the patients. Greater number of T/NK cells and enhanced secretion of type 1 cytokines were also noted. Haematological complications were reduced after completion of the therapy. Immune- and haematostimulation were also observed in patients with partial response. No positive clinical response was detected in one patient. Interpretation & conclusions: IFNα2b appears to be an effective immunostimulator having clinical impact to combat the immunosuppression in TSCC patients. Successful immunostimulation by IFNα2b may help TSCC patients in clinical improvement. The findings of this preliminary study need to be confirmed on a large number of patients with TSCC.

Clinical and serological manifestations associated with interferon-α levels in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE: To determine the serum levels of interferon alpha in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients, their first-degree relatives and healthy controls and to evaluate the associations between serum interferon alpha and disease activity, laboratory findings and treatment features. METHODS: We screened consecutive childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients in a longitudinal cohort at the pediatric rheumatology unit of the State University of Campinas between 2009 and 2010. All patients demonstrated disease onset before the age of 16. Disease status was assessed according to the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI). Interferon alpha levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay. RESULTS: We included 57 childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients (mean age 17.33±4.50), 64 firstdegree relatives (mean age 39.95±5.66), and 57 healthy (mean age 19.30±4.97) controls. Serum interferon alpha levels were significantly increased in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients compared to their firstdegree relatives and healthy controls. Interferon alpha levels were significantly increased in patients with positive dsDNA antibodies, patients with cutaneous vasculitis, patients with new malar rash and patients who were not receiving medication. Interferon alpha levels correlated with C3 levels and systemic lupus erythematosus Disease Activity Index scores. In addition, we observed an inverse correlation between patient age and interferon alpha levels. CONCLUSION: Interferon alpha may play a role in the pathogenesis of childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus, especially in cutaneous manifestations and dsDNA antibody formation. The observation that interferon alpha levels are increased in patients who are not taking medication should be investigated in longitudinal studies to determine whether elevated interferon alpha levels may predict systemic lupus erythematosus flares.

Management of HCV infection: Current issues and future options.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a common cause of chronic liver disease (CLD). Presently the standard regime comprises a combination of PEG-IFN and ribavirin. Sustained virologic response (SVR) is defined as the absence of HCV RNA in the serum six months after the end of treatment . With standard treatment, in patients with genotype1 infections, SVR lies between 42% to 56%, whereas for genotypes 2 and 3 the SVR is from 76% to 82%. Thus, a large percentage of patients fail to achieve SVR even with improvised standard treatment. Such patients may be divided initially into relapsers and nonresponders. The decision to re-treat should be based on the presence of clinical, virological and histological factors that predict the possibility of successful outcome with further therapy. Both the type of previous therapy and previous response are very important factors in guiding re-treatment. The development of new therapeutic agents is critical for further improvement in the management of chronic hepatitis C as current therapeutic options have rather low efficacy in certain subgroups, such as those with HCV genotype 1 or patients with advanced liver disease, and most probably in nonresponders and relapsers. Moreover, pegylated IFNa and/or ribavirin are associated with frequent side effects and have a negative impact on the patient’s quality of life. Therefore, the development of new effective and safe drugs is a matter of significant clinical importance.

Humoral and cellular immune responses to Blomia tropicalis and concanavalin A-binding fractions in atopic patients

Blomia tropicalis, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae are prevalent house dust mites. Concanavalin A-binding components derived from B. tropicalis (Bt-ConA extract) are highly immunogenic in allergic diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the humoral and cellular immune responses to B. tropicalis in mite-sensitized patients. A total of 137 patients with allergic rhinitis with/without asthma and 109 non-atopic subjects were selected and analyzed by the skin prick test, and for total serum IgE and specific IgE levels to both Bt-total and Bt-ConA extracts, their proliferative response and cytokine (IFN-ã and IL-5) production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated with both extracts. Skin prick test showed that 70 percent of the patients were sensitized to Bt (Bt+) and similar levels of specific IgE to Bt-total and Bt-ConA extracts were demonstrable in Bt+ patients. Significant PBMC proliferation was observed in response to Bt-total extract in Bt+, but not in Bt- patients and non-atopic subjects (P < 0.001). Bt-ConA extract induced increased proliferative responses in all patient groups compared to medium alone (P < 0.05), but these responses were significantly decreased in the presence of the mannopyranoside ConA inhibitor (P < 0.05). Significant IFN-ã production was observed after Bt-ConA stimulation of Bt+ patients (P < 0.05), while Bt-total extract had no effect. IL-5 production was consistently detected in Bt+ patients after allergen-specific stimulation or with no stimulus, indicating that PBMC from allergic patients are prone to produce Th2 profile cytokines, spontaneously or inductively by allergen restimulation. These data showed that ConA-binding components isolated from B. tropicalis may contain relevant antigens that are involved in both humoral and cellular immune responses. However, without an additional purification procedure to eliminate the residual contamination with...

Comparison study of interferon-a combined chemotherapy versus chemotherapy only in patients with invasive uterine cervical cancer / 대한부인종양콜포스코피학회잡지

This study is to evaluate therapeutic effects between interferon-a combined chemotherapy and chemotherapy(5-fluorouracil, cisplatin) only in invasive uterine cervical cancer. The study included 35 cases of interferon-a combined chemotherapy group and 50 cases of chemotherapy(5-FU, cisplatin) only group. Then we analyzed the therapeutic effects with respect to size of tumor, number of lymphocyte subsets and NK activity, and SCC Ag(squamous cell carcinoma antigen) level in peripheral blood. (continue)

In Vitro Study of the Effects of Interferon-? on Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Cells in LTBMC / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

The effects of interferon-? (IFN-?) on chronic myelogenous leukemia cells were studied in vitro by long-term bone marrow culture(LTBMC). There were no inhibition of cellularity from non-adherent layers and formation of adherent layers, however, CFU-GM from non-adherent layers was inhibited at IFN-? 103U/ml and 104 U/ml groups, when IFN-?was added only at initiation of culture. If IFN-? was continuously added weekly, the cellularity and CFU-GM of non-adherent layers were significantly inhibited, and the formation of adherent layers was inversely associated with the increasing concentration of IFN-?. in addition, Ph(+) cells in non-adherent layers were disappeared early and the percentage of Ph(-) population was increased with the combination of IFN-? and LTBMC. It is concluded that IFN-?selectively inhibits the later CFU-GM of CML cells and the development of stromal cells, the combination of IFN-?and LTBMC might exert a synergically purging effect on Ph(+) CML cells