Interferon-αcon-1 Treatment of Three Patients with Severe Glucocorticoid-Dependent Asthma.

We report herein the therapeutic effect of interferon (IFN)-αcon in three patients with severe persistent asthma and long-term oral glucocorticoid treatment. IFN-αcon (9 μg) administered subcutaneously thrice a week over a period of more than 24 months led to a substantial clinical improvement with regard to the number of daily asthma attacks, nighttime disturbance, emergency visits and hospitalizations. In addition, lung function and exercise capacity improved. At the same time, treatment with IFN allowed discontinuation of the daily glucocorticoid dose in all patients for the first time in more than 8 years. Our findings suggest that IFN-αcon leads to a significant clinical improvement while at the same time allowing reduction and discontinuation of the glucocorticoid treatment in severe persistent glucocorticoid-dependent asthma. Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]