Azathioprine treatment of chronic pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Abstract

The object of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the immuno-suppressor Azathioprine (AZ) on chronic and severe pulmonary sarcoidosis, with a persistent activity resistant to prolonged corticotherapy. The study was done on 10 patients (4 women, 6 men) afflicted by an histologically proven and chronic sarcoidosis, resistant to steroid treatment. The treatment consisted of a daily oral intake of 150 mg of AZ for six months. Its effectiveness was evaluated before and after treatment, in comparison with a control group and a steroid-treated group of sarcoid patients. Serologic and alveolar functional and immuno-biologic tests were performed in 8 cases according to the activity criteria defined at the IXth International Congress on sarcoidosis. No clinical or hematological side effects were observed; a clear and prolonged radiological and clinical amelioration was observed in 7 out of 10 cases and in 3 cases a restoration of sensibility to the tuberculin skin test; in the 8 cases a significant improvement (p less than 0.01) was noted after the sixth month of treatment only in the alveolar fluid in the following parameters: ACE, all the proteins studied and the percentage of lymphocytes.

• Authors: Y Pacheco, C Marechal, F Marechal, N Biot, M Perrin Fayolle
• Journal: Sarcoidosis (Sarcoidosis) Vol. 2 Issue 2 Pg. 107-13 (Sep 1985) ISSN: 0393-1447 [Print] Italy
• PMID: 3031790 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• alpha 1-Antitrypsin
• Muramidase
• Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A
• Azathioprine

Topics

• Adult
• Azathioprine (therapeutic use)
• Drug Evaluation
• Female
• Humans
• Lung Diseases (blood, drug therapy)
• Lymphocytes (drug effects)
• Male
• Muramidase (blood)
• Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A (blood)
• Sarcoidosis (blood, drug therapy)
• alpha 1-Antitrypsin (blood)