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Interdisciplinary management recommendations for toxicity associated with interferon‐alfa therapy
Author(s) -
Hauschild Axel,
Kähler Katharina C.,
Schäfer Martin,
Fluck Michael
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
jddg: journal der deutschen dermatologischen gesellschaft
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.463
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1610-0387
pISSN - 1610-0379
DOI - 10.1111/j.1610-0387.2008.06651.x
Subject(s) - medicine , autoantibody , interferon alfa , adjuvant therapy , alpha interferon , adjuvant , immunology , autoimmunity , incidence (geometry) , toxicity , pathophysiology , interferon , intensive care medicine , cancer , antibody , physics , optics
Summary Adjuvant interferon‐α (IFN‐α) therapy in patients with melanoma has been established as standard therapy since more than 10 years.During IFN‐α therapy, flu‐like symptoms, gastrointestinal disorders, arthralgias and neuropsychiatric symptoms are the most common side effects. The management and prophylaxis of these side effects have been improved by a more detailed understanding of pathophysiologic mechanisms and increased clinical experience. New insights in the relevance of detection of autoantibodies and development of autoimmunity have influenced the clinical pathway substantially. This review covers the pathomechanisms, incidence and optimized therapy of IFN‐α‐associated side effects.