Gottlöber P, Steinert M, Bähren W, Weber L, Gerngross H, Peter RU, et al.
International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics. Date of publication 2001 May 1;volume 50(1):159-66.
1. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2001 May 1;50(1):159-66.
Interferon-gamma in 5 patients with cutaneous radiation syndrome after radiation
therapy.
Gottlöber P(1), Steinert M, Bähren W, Weber L, Gerngross H, Peter RU.
Author information:
(1)Department of Dermatology, University of Ulm, Oberer Eselsberg 40, 89081 Ulm,
Germany. Petra.Gottloeber@medizin.uni-ulm.de
BACKGROUND: Irradiation can cause acute inflammatory responses as well as chronic
fibrotic alterations of the skin. Cutaneous radiation fibrosis evokes a complex
of therapeutic problems. However, therapeutic options, apart from surgical
approaches, are limited.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five female patients suffering from severe cutaneous
fibrosis were treated with interferon-gamma on a low-dose regimen, 3 x 100
microg/week subcutaneously for 6 months, then once per week for another 6 months.
In 4 patients, skin thickness was measured with high-frequency (20 MHz)
ultrasound in a clinically well-defined target skin lesion. In 1 patient, nuclear
magnetic resonance imaging was performed to quantify the extent of cutaneous
radiation fibrosis and to monitor the therapeutic outcome.
RESULTS: All patients suffered from radiation-induced cutaneous fibrosis.
Additionally, in 1 patient, a fistula, as assessed by lymph vessel scintigraphy,
and in another patient a radiation ulcer was diagnosed. In all patients,
reduction of radiation-induced fibrosis could be documented. Both fistula and
radiation ulcer regressed completely under interferon-gamma therapy.
CONCLUSION: Low-dose interferon-gamma therapy is a new and effective treatment
modality for cutaneous radiation fibrosis caused by radiation therapy. The
positive impact of interferon-gamma on our patients warrants randomized
double-blind trials on therapy of radiation fibrosis.
PMID: 11316559 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
