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1: Ann Rheum Dis. 2003 Feb;62(2):175-7.Click here to read Click here to read Links

Fibrosis regression induced by intravenous gammaglobulin treatment.

Amital H, Rewald E, Levy Y, Bar-Dayan Y, Manthorpe R, Engervall P, Sherer Y, Langevitz P, Shoenfeld Y.

Research Unit of Autoimmune Diseases and Department of Medicine B, Sheba Medical Centre, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.

OBJECTIVES: To review case histories of patients in whom fibrosis played a significant role in the pathogenesis of their disease, and to determine whether intravenous gammaglobulin (IVIg) contributed to the regression of their fibrotic condition. METHODS: Eight patients with excess fibrotic reaction in the course of diverse diseases were analysed; a tendency that reverted with different IVIg treatment options. Myelofibrosis was predominant in three patients (a patient with a myeloproliferative syndrome, one with systemic lupus erythematosus, and one with Sjögren's syndrome). Three patients had scleroderma as their main feature, one patient had hepatitis C cirrhosis, and one had idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. RESULTS: Fibrotic excess was reduced in all the patients by IVIg treatment. In five patients the disease as a whole benefited from the infusion of immunoglobulins. CONCLUSION: IVIg may enhance resorption of fibrosis and promote healing in patients with fibrotic associated disorders.

PMID: 12525390 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PMCID: PMC1754436