아토피 피부염의 감마 인터페론 치료 = Immunotherapy with Systemic Interferon-γ in Severe Atopic Dermatitis

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Purpose: Atopic dermatitis is characterized by immunologic abnormalities including evidence for reduced IFN-γ production with increased IL-4 production. Previous open trials have suggested efficacy for recombinant IFN-γ in treatment of severe atopic dermatitis. Here we report the results of treatment with IFN-γ in 5 patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. Methods: Atopic dermatitis was diagnosed according to typical clinical symptoms. Patients were treated with IFN- r for 6 weeks. Patients received 2×10(6) units/m IFN-γ by subcutaneous injection. Serum IgE levels, total eosinophil counts with hemoglobin(Hb) concentrations, hematocrit(Hct)s, white blood cell counts(WBC), lymphocyte fractions, eosinophil fractions and platelet counts were examined before treatment and 1 week and 6 week after treatment. Results: The skin lesions of all patients begun to be improved after 3 times of injection. As estimated by patients, responses showed significant improvement. Three of five patients were resolved completely who showed complete clearance of skin manifestation. And remained two patients show dramatic improvement with mild some skin lesions. WBC counts, Hemoglobins, Hematocrits, lymphocyte fractions, eosinophil fractions and platelet counts was not significantly changed before and after IFN-γ treatment. Serum IgE levels were not markedly elevated and not reduced after IFN-γ treatment. But total eosinophil counts were decreased 1 week after treatment and reduced to normal range 6 weeks after treatment. Conclusions: Five severe atopic dermatitis patients who did not respond to previous treatment, who had showed complication to loeal steroid treatment and who had severe skin lesions were treated with IFN-γ. They showed marked improvement in skin lesions after IFN-γ treatment and three of them showed complete clearance of skin lesions. Total eosinophil count was regarded as an excellent indicator for diagnosis, evaluation of therapeutic effects of IFN-γ. IFN-γ may be a suitable immunotherapy modality in the treatment of atopic dermatitis and futher studies for the action mechanism of IFN-γ in atopic dermatitis might be needed.