Tracy M Frech1, Marie Hudson2. 1. Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake Veterans Affair Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. tracy.frech@hsc.utah.edu. 2. Division of Rheumatology, and Lady Davis Research Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Quebec, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) is characterised by complex multi-organ pathogenesis, including gastrointestinal tract (GIT) disease that remains poorly characterised. Immunosuppression is commonly used to treat inflammatory manifestations of SSc, including the skin, lungs and joints. There is a paucity of data on the effects of immunosuppression on GIT disease in SSc. METHODS: This case report and review of the literature presents two clinical cases in which interleukin-6 (IL-6) antagonism was used for early, diffuse skin disease. RESULTS: In these two cases, IL-6 anta-gonism was associated with an exacerbation of GIT symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: We postulate that IL-6 is important in the repair of GIT mucosa and further studies are warranted to better understand the effects of immunosuppression on SSc-GIT disease.
OBJECTIVES: Systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) is characterised by complex multi-organ pathogenesis, including gastrointestinal tract (GIT) disease that remains poorly characterised. Immunosuppression is commonly used to treat inflammatory manifestations of SSc, including the skin, lungs and joints. There is a paucity of data on the effects of immunosuppression on GIT disease in SSc. METHODS: This case report and review of the literature presents two clinical cases in which interleukin-6 (IL-6) antagonism was used for early, diffuse skin disease. RESULTS: In these two cases, IL-6 anta-gonism was associated with an exacerbation of GIT symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: We postulate that IL-6 is important in the repair of GIT mucosa and further studies are warranted to better understand the effects of immunosuppression on SSc-GIT disease.
Authors: Christina G Katsiari; Theodora Simopoulou; Ioannis Alexiou; Lazaros I Sakkas Journal: Hum Vaccin Immunother Date: 2018-07-16 Impact factor: 3.452