PubMed Health⌕ Search

PubMed · 9764955

Sarcoidosis: is therapy effective?

Abstract

Treatment of sarcoidosis is controversial. The clinical expression and natural history of sarcoidosis is variable, and spontaneous remissions occur in up to 60% of patients. The decision to treat (or withhold treatment) is often difficult. Corticosteroids, immunosuppressive/cytotoxic, and immunomodulatory agents are used to treat chronic or progressive sarcoidosis, but prospective, randomized trials assessing efficacy of these agents are lacking. Toxicities associated with therapy may be substantial, particularly when high dosages are used. We review the pharmacologic agents used to treat sarcoidosis, toxicities associated with treatment, and appropriate use and monitoring of these therapeutic modalities.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

R P Baughman, O P Sharma, J P Lynch. 1998. Sarcoidosis: is therapy effective?. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9764955/

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

Rituximab for treatment of opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome in neuroblastoma.

Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (OMS) is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome that occurs in 2%-3% of patients with neuroblastoma. The cause of this syndrome is believed to be immune mediated, but the exact mechanism still remains unclear. There is an urgent need to improve our current strategies for treating patients with OMS, as many patients have significant long-term neurologic deficits and behavior disorders with current treatment approaches. Therapies that have shown to improve symptoms in these patients have ranged from ACTH and corticosteroids, to intravenous gammaglobulin and plasmapheresis. We report our experience with Rituximab in a patient with neuroblastoma and OMS.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Cyclosporine sparing with mycophenolate mofetil, daclizumab and corticosteroids in renal allograft recipients: the CAESAR Study.

Although the calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) cyclosporine (CsA) and tacrolimus are highly effective immunosuppressants, they are associated with serious side effects. There is great interest in immunosuppressive regimens that permit reduction or elimination of CNIs, while maintaining adequate immunosuppression and acceptable acute rejection rates. Patients (n = 536) receiving their first renal allograft were randomized to one of three immunosuppressant regimens: daclizumab, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), corticosteroids (CS) and low-dose CsA (target trough levels of 50-100 ng/mL), weaned from month 4 and withdrawn by month 6; daclizumab, MMF, CS and low-dose CsA; or MMF, CS and standard-dose CsA. Mean GFR 12 months after transplantation (primary end point) was not statistically different in the CsA withdrawal and low-dose CsA groups (both 50.9 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) vs. the standard-dose CsA group (48.6 mL/min/1.73 m(2)). At 12 months, the incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection was significantly higher in the CsA withdrawal group (38%) vs. the low- or standard-dose CsA groups (25.4% and 27.5%, respectively; p < 0.05). In summary, a regimen of continuous low-dose CsA with MMF, CS and daclizumab induction is a clinically safe and effective immunosuppressive regimen in renal transplant recipients.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗