Gamma-interferon therapy for severe cases of atopic dermatitis of the adult type.

Recombinant gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) was employed to treat adult-type atopic dermatitis. Eight cases received subcutaneous injections of 500,000 JRU of IFN-gamma for 8 weeks. They responded relatively well to this treatment; however, the overall response to the treatment was not significantly better than that to conventional therapy in the control group. There was no significant suppression of itch or erythema. Swelling was reduced at the 8th week in the treatment group. Frequency of flushing attacks on the face was reduced and disappeared within four weeks in 6 of these patients; however, a similar reduction of frequency was observed in the control group. Papular and lichenified lesions on the trunk and extremities responded significantly to the treatment later than 5 weeks after its initiation. Serum IgE level was not affected by the treatment. Seven had the same level of serum IgE before and after the treatment. The serum cytokine level in the treated patients was also unaltered. Therefore, although IFN-gamma treatment has some benefit in the treatment of severe cases of atopic dermatitis, it should be applied to limited cases because of its high cost.