Long-term Effect of Recombinant Interferon-Gamma on Moderate and Severe Atopic Dermatitis in Childhood

Kim, Hyun A; Yoon, So Won; Yum, Myung Gul; Kim, Chang Ryul; Lee, Se Min; Lee, Ha Baik; Oh, Jae Won

Abstract

PURPOSE
A number of studies on the treatment of atopic dermatitis have focused on the therapeutic effects of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in patients with severe atopic dermatitis, although therapeutic protocols such as duration and dosage of recombinant IFN-gamma were different among studies. The beneficial effects of IFN-gamma have probably been attributed mainly to its immune modulating effect on the expression of several immunologic mediators although the mechanism of action of IFN-gamma therapy in atopic dermatitis is not clear.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of recombinant IFN-gamma on moderate to severe atopic dermatitis with changes in immunologic markers such as IgE level and eosionophil cationic protein (ECP).
METHODS
Thirty children with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis were selected for the treatment with recombinant IFN-gamma, and 10 children with atopic dermatitis were recruited for the controls without IFN-gamma treatment. They were followed up every 4 weeks for 3 months after IFN-gamma treatment. We evaluated the SCORAD index and immunologic markers including serum IgE and ECP and total eosinophil and neutrophil counts.
RESULTS
Significant clinical improvement in reduced SCORAD index was observed 12 weeks after treatment with regimen of recombinant IFN-gamma. This clinical outcome was correlated more with changes in eosinophil counts and ECP levels than with those in serum IgE levels.
CONCLUSIONS
The efficacy of recombinant human IFN-gamma therapy for children with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis was maintained without serious side effects for 6 months after final injection of recombinant IFN-gamma. Recombinant IFN-gamma therapy corrected cellular immune deficits, but not humoral immune defects in patients with atopic dermatitis.