Pegylated interferon a enhances recovery of memory T cells in
Interferon-α
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Reactions 589 - 24 Feb 1996 Interferon-α Exacerbation of thyroiditis in an elderly patient: case report Painless thyroiditis occurred in a 65-year-old man after treatment with interferon-α 6MU thrice-weekly for chronic active hepatitis C infection. He was subsequently found to have pre-existing thyroiditis. After completing a 24-week course of interferon-α, the man developed progressive fatigue, a puffy face, and became intolerant to cold. Examination revealed a small, firm, diffuse, painless goiter. Thyroid function studies showed low serum levels of free triiodothyronine and thyroxine and high serum levels of thyrotropin, and thyroid hormone autoantibodes were detected. Four weeks later, a thyroid biopsy showed chronic focal thyroiditis. The man’s thyroid hormone levels gradually normalised without thyroid hormone replacement therapy, and his autoantibodies had disappeared 8 months after interferon-α therapy was stopped. Retrospective analysis of serum samples taken before interferon-α therapy revealed a positive thyroglobulin antibody titre, but normal thyroid hormone levels. Author comment: ‘The occurrence of painless thyroiditis during IFN-α [interferon-α] therapy in our patient is due to the IFN-α-induced aggravation of preexisting chronic thyroiditis, leading to thyroid destruction.’ Uchida K, et al. Painless thyroiditis occurring during long-term treatment with interferon alfa in a patient with chronic active hepatitis C. Southern Medical Journal 89: 81-83, Jan 1996 - Japan 800420846 1 Reactions 24 Feb 1996 No. 589 0114-9954/10/0589-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved
Transcript of Interferon-α
Reactions 589 - 24 Feb 1996
Interferon-αExacerbation of thyroiditis in an elderly patient:case report
Painless thyroiditis occurred in a 65-year-old man aftertreatment with interferon-α 6MU thrice-weekly for chronicactive hepatitis C infection. He was subsequently found tohave pre-existing thyroiditis.
After completing a 24-week course of interferon-α, the mandeveloped progressive fatigue, a puffy face, and becameintolerant to cold. Examination revealed a small, firm, diffuse,painless goiter. Thyroid function studies showed low serumlevels of free triiodothyronine and thyroxine and high serumlevels of thyrotropin, and thyroid hormone autoantibodeswere detected.
Four weeks later, a thyroid biopsy showed chronic focalthyroiditis. The man’s thyroid hormone levels graduallynormalised without thyroid hormone replacement therapy,and his autoantibodies had disappeared 8 months afterinterferon-α therapy was stopped.
Retrospective analysis of serum samples taken beforeinterferon-α therapy revealed a positive thyroglobulinantibody titre, but normal thyroid hormone levels.
Author comment: ‘The occurrence of painless thyroiditisduring IFN-α [interferon-α] therapy in our patient is due to theIFN-α-induced aggravation of preexisting chronic thyroiditis,leading to thyroid destruction.’Uchida K, et al. Painless thyroiditis occurring during long-term treatment withinterferon alfa in a patient with chronic active hepatitis C. Southern MedicalJournal 89: 81-83, Jan 1996 - Japan 800420846
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Reactions 24 Feb 1996 No. 5890114-9954/10/0589-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved
