Interferons and Their Application in Lung Diseases

[Results of biological treatments in autoimmune diseases]

The use of the biological therapies has revolutionized in the last years the handling of numerous autoimmune processes. It has taken to numerous physicians and investigators to try to apply these therapies in other diseases (lupus, Sjögren, vasculitis, etc). From the introduction of corticosteroids and immunosupressives, vasculitis were no more a mortal diseases, and it was possible to obtain high rates of remission. Nevertheless, they are delayed, they are not sustained, and require of the use of maintained drugs. Against this background, the new biological drugs have to surpass the challenge to induce an earlier and permanent remission that diminishes irreversible organ damage, to reduce (or to eliminate) the exposition to steroids and immunesupressives and to improve the patient function. This article reviews data present until now in literature with respect to the utility of biological drugs in systemic vasculitis.

Newer Therapeutic Approaches to the Vasculitides: Biologic Agents

Biologic therapies have emerged as important treatments in chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, and are now garnering more attention in the vasculitides. These agents, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors, B-cell-depleting agents, interferon-alpha, and some antiviral treatments, target specific components of the immune system and may have lower side effect risk profiles than the conventional immunosuppressives and cytotoxic agents. This article addresses the encouraging data and the possible pitfalls of these new therapeutic options, thus far evaluated mostly by case reports, small series, and open-label trials. Confirming the efficacy of existing and newer therapies will require further clinical investigation through randomized placebo-controlled studies to identify the proper doses and treatment schedules and single out those drugs that may expose patients to dangers that outweigh the potential benefits.