Treatment of refractory churg-strauss-syndrome (CSS) by TNF-α blockade

Olga Arbach*, Wolfgang L. Gross, Angela Gause

*Corresponding author for this work
83 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Churg-Strauss-Syndrome (CSS) often takes a mild course and is in many cases treated successfully by glucocorticosteroids (GC) alone. However, there are also several reports demonstrating the necessity of more intensive treatment in life threatening courses with cyclophosphamide and in less severe cases with other immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory drugs like azathioprine, methotrexate or interferon alpha. Relapses of the CSS are detected clinically and serologically and may require cyclophosphamide therapy as well as high-dose GC. We treated 3 cases between 2000 and 2001 that not only experienced a severe relapse (of the heart and the central nervous system) but also proved to be refractory to cyclophosphamide and GC therapy. In the absence of other options we decided to apply TNF-α blockers (etanercept in one case and remicade in the two other). This experimental treatment proved to be effective and safe and induced complete remission in one patient and partial remission in the second and at least stopped disease progression in the third. The BVAS 1 markedly improved after additional treatment with TNF-α blockers.

Original languageEnglish
JournalImmunobiology
Volume206
Issue number5
Pages (from-to)496-501
Number of pages6
ISSN0171-2985
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12.2002

Research Areas and Centers

  • Academic Focus: Center for Infection and Inflammation Research (ZIEL)

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