Treatment of refractory neurosarcoidosis with Infliximab

E Santos, S Shaunak, S Renowden, N Scolding

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

66 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Neurological involvement in sarcoidosis is serious and often aggressive. Many patients respond to steroids but some show a progressive course despite treatment with steroids and even more potent immunosuppressive drugs. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe our experience in the treatment of refractory neurosarcoidosis with Infliximab--its effect on the course of the disease and side effects. METHODS: A series of four patients are reported with neurosarcoidosis refractory to treatment with steroids combined with various immunosuppressive drugs in whom Infliximab was used. RESULTS: A good response, with improvement or stabilisation of the neurological condition, was seen in all cases, without significant side effects. Infliximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that neutralises the biological activity of tumour necrosis factor alpha, a cytokine thought to play an important role in the pathophysiology of sarcoidosis. CONCLUSION: Our experience using Infliximab adds to the growing evidence that it may fulfil a useful role in cases of refractory neurosarcoidosis.
Translated title of the contributionTreatment of refractory neurosarcoidosis with Infliximab
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)241 - 246
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
Volume81(3)
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2010

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