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  • Low-dose oral interferon α possibly retards the progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and alleviates associated cough in some patients

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Low-dose oral interferon α possibly retards the progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and alleviates associated cough in some patients
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  1. Lorenz O Lutherer1,
  2. Kenneth M Nugent1,
  3. Byron W Schoettle1,
  4. Martin J Cummins2,
  5. Rishi Raj1,
  6. Surinder S Birring3,
  7. Cynthia A Jumper1
  1. 1Departments of Internal Medicine and Physiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA
  2. 2Amarillo Biosciences, Amarillo, Texas, USA
  3. 3Department of Respiratory Medicine, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, UK
  1. Correspondence to Rishi Raj, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th Street, Stop 9410, Lubbock, TX 79430-9410, USA; rishi.raj{at}ttuhsc.edu

https://doi.org/10.1136/thx.2010.135947

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    Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has no effective treatment and a relatively short life expectancy after diagnosis. Interferon α (IFNα) inhibits the growth of proliferating fibroblasts.1 IFNα also inhibits the production of collagen by fibroblasts independently of its effect on fibroblast replication.2 Biological activity of low-dose IFNα by oromucosal administration has been reported in several species including man,3 despite the expected rapid inactivation by digestive enzymes.4

    We therefore tested the effect of oral administration of very low doses of IFNα on the progression of IPF. Twelve of 20 patients with IPF aged 50–82 years (mean 67) completed treatment for at least 12 months with IFNα administered by lozenge (150 IU) taken three times each day. IPF was diagnosed according to the diagnostic criteria set forth by the American Thoracic Society. Three subjects had …

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